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chemotherapy while waiting for clinical trial/ failed Keytruda
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chemotherapy while waiting for clinical trial/ failed Keytruda

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › chemotherapy while waiting for clinical trial/ failed Keytruda

  • Post
    • January 26, 2015 at 6:27 pm
    kluft
    Participant

      On Friday I wen to my new oncologis for results of my latest PE scan and the results were not at all what we expected. After 4 doses of Anti PD1 drug Keytruda my cancer has spread.. So frustrated. Now recommending I take Arbrane (chemo) to stablize the cancer till a clinical trial opens at SCCA . I felt so blindsided that I forgot to ask about the trial. Has any used Abraxane ?? What were the side effects. 

       

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    • Replies
        • January 26, 2015 at 10:15 pm
        sharebear
        Participant

          My husband had adjuvant therapy with Abraxane.  He is almost 3.8 months NED.  I remember reading about a stage IV that had a great response to Abraxane last year on the Board.  Maybe you can do a word search?

            • January 26, 2015 at 10:16 pm
            sharebear
            Participant

              3 years and 8 months NED. 

              • January 26, 2015 at 10:19 pm
              sharebear
              Participant

                Minimal side effects.  He slept for about 2 days after infusion and felt fine the rest of the month.  He did lose hair temporarily.

                • January 26, 2015 at 10:19 pm
                sharebear
                Participant

                  Minimal side effects.  He slept for about 2 days after infusion and felt fine the rest of the month.  He did lose hair temporarily.

                  • January 26, 2015 at 10:19 pm
                  sharebear
                  Participant

                    Minimal side effects.  He slept for about 2 days after infusion and felt fine the rest of the month.  He did lose hair temporarily.

                    • January 26, 2015 at 10:16 pm
                    sharebear
                    Participant

                      3 years and 8 months NED. 

                      • January 26, 2015 at 10:16 pm
                      sharebear
                      Participant

                        3 years and 8 months NED. 

                      • January 26, 2015 at 10:15 pm
                      sharebear
                      Participant

                        My husband had adjuvant therapy with Abraxane.  He is almost 3.8 months NED.  I remember reading about a stage IV that had a great response to Abraxane last year on the Board.  Maybe you can do a word search?

                        • January 26, 2015 at 10:15 pm
                        sharebear
                        Participant

                          My husband had adjuvant therapy with Abraxane.  He is almost 3.8 months NED.  I remember reading about a stage IV that had a great response to Abraxane last year on the Board.  Maybe you can do a word search?

                          • January 27, 2015 at 2:21 am
                          radioguy
                          Participant

                            I was diagnosed Stage 4 in mid August 2014 with no apparent primary.  Initial PET/CT scan showed mets in both lungs, around my pericardium, the adrenal gland above my left kidney and several lymph nodes in my chest.

                            I started an Abraxane / Avastine combo in a clinical trial (RU2612061) in late September.  My first follow up CT scan in early December showed a 37 percent reduction in the main tumor in my right lung, with other smaller tumors stable or shrinking in both lungs as well.  My next CT scan is scheduled for the first week in February, so we shall see if the good progress continues.

                            As for side effects, I have been fortunate.  I have experienced some fatigue, 90% hair loss and significant numbness in my feet, but have avoided any serious side effects, nausea or vomiting.  I continue to eat well, maintain weight and be active as much as the fatigue will allow.  I am told that as I continue treatment, some of the side effects may build over time, so it may not be this good going forward.

                            I am seeing an Melanoma Specialist who has a great support team working with him.  As others have said, finding a Melanoma Specialist and a Care Team that you are comfortable working with this is probably the most important decision you can make up front.

                              • February 15, 2015 at 1:12 pm
                              radioguy
                              Participant

                                As a follow up to my previous posting regarding the clinical trial of Abraxane / Avastine combo, my last CT scan showed a new lesion on my Pancreas which was not there on the previous scans, even thought my other lesions were either stable or were still shrinking.

                                Under the rules of the clinical trial, I have shown disease progression and now will be switching to the other arm of the clincal trial which is the standard treatment of 4 infusions of Yervoy starting tomorrow.

                                Still hopefull and praying for a positive outcome.

                                • February 15, 2015 at 1:12 pm
                                radioguy
                                Participant

                                  As a follow up to my previous posting regarding the clinical trial of Abraxane / Avastine combo, my last CT scan showed a new lesion on my Pancreas which was not there on the previous scans, even thought my other lesions were either stable or were still shrinking.

                                  Under the rules of the clinical trial, I have shown disease progression and now will be switching to the other arm of the clincal trial which is the standard treatment of 4 infusions of Yervoy starting tomorrow.

                                  Still hopefull and praying for a positive outcome.

                                  • February 15, 2015 at 1:12 pm
                                  radioguy
                                  Participant

                                    As a follow up to my previous posting regarding the clinical trial of Abraxane / Avastine combo, my last CT scan showed a new lesion on my Pancreas which was not there on the previous scans, even thought my other lesions were either stable or were still shrinking.

                                    Under the rules of the clinical trial, I have shown disease progression and now will be switching to the other arm of the clincal trial which is the standard treatment of 4 infusions of Yervoy starting tomorrow.

                                    Still hopefull and praying for a positive outcome.

                                  • January 27, 2015 at 2:21 am
                                  radioguy
                                  Participant

                                    I was diagnosed Stage 4 in mid August 2014 with no apparent primary.  Initial PET/CT scan showed mets in both lungs, around my pericardium, the adrenal gland above my left kidney and several lymph nodes in my chest.

                                    I started an Abraxane / Avastine combo in a clinical trial (RU2612061) in late September.  My first follow up CT scan in early December showed a 37 percent reduction in the main tumor in my right lung, with other smaller tumors stable or shrinking in both lungs as well.  My next CT scan is scheduled for the first week in February, so we shall see if the good progress continues.

                                    As for side effects, I have been fortunate.  I have experienced some fatigue, 90% hair loss and significant numbness in my feet, but have avoided any serious side effects, nausea or vomiting.  I continue to eat well, maintain weight and be active as much as the fatigue will allow.  I am told that as I continue treatment, some of the side effects may build over time, so it may not be this good going forward.

                                    I am seeing an Melanoma Specialist who has a great support team working with him.  As others have said, finding a Melanoma Specialist and a Care Team that you are comfortable working with this is probably the most important decision you can make up front.

                                    • January 27, 2015 at 2:21 am
                                    radioguy
                                    Participant

                                      I was diagnosed Stage 4 in mid August 2014 with no apparent primary.  Initial PET/CT scan showed mets in both lungs, around my pericardium, the adrenal gland above my left kidney and several lymph nodes in my chest.

                                      I started an Abraxane / Avastine combo in a clinical trial (RU2612061) in late September.  My first follow up CT scan in early December showed a 37 percent reduction in the main tumor in my right lung, with other smaller tumors stable or shrinking in both lungs as well.  My next CT scan is scheduled for the first week in February, so we shall see if the good progress continues.

                                      As for side effects, I have been fortunate.  I have experienced some fatigue, 90% hair loss and significant numbness in my feet, but have avoided any serious side effects, nausea or vomiting.  I continue to eat well, maintain weight and be active as much as the fatigue will allow.  I am told that as I continue treatment, some of the side effects may build over time, so it may not be this good going forward.

                                      I am seeing an Melanoma Specialist who has a great support team working with him.  As others have said, finding a Melanoma Specialist and a Care Team that you are comfortable working with this is probably the most important decision you can make up front.

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