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Growth in Liver Mets – treatment options
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Growth in Liver Mets – treatment options

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Growth in Liver Mets – treatment options

  • Post
    • January 22, 2014 at 4:46 pm
    bkinman
    Participant

      Went back to MD Anderson last week.  The tumor on my liver had grown.  I am currently on 200mg Tafinlar two times a day and fighting BCBS for the MEK to add to it.

      We are meeting with targeted therapy clinical trial dr to see if i qualify for ERK trial.  Anyone else on this trial know anything about it?

      Also, Dr scheduled me for a transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) Friday.  Anyone else have this?  Thoughts? Have appointment with clinical trial dr first, wonder if TACE will be dependent on whether I get in trial or if I can still have it and be on the trial.  I would think I could not.

      Also talked about biochemotherapy.

      I left the office thinking I understood where we were going with treatment, but I am not sure now.  He ws concerned aoubt coming off Tafnlar for the required amount of time to start the clinical trial and was waiting to hear from radiology about the TACE.  I checked oline this morning and he has the TACEscheduled for Friday after my clinical trial appoinntment today. I have called and left a message, maybe they will call back and let me know where we are with all this.  This means we have been in TX out of work since last Wednesday and looks like we will not go back until at least Sunday if not later.

      Thoughts and comments appreciated.

      Becky 

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    • Replies
        • January 23, 2014 at 2:20 am
        BrianP
        Participant

          Becky,

          Sorry about your situation and sorry I can't be of any help.  I read up on a couple articles on the ERK inhibitor and it does sound interesting.  I don't recall anyone else being in that type of trial on this board so you might be the trail blazer if you go that route.  Best of luck this week.  I'd definitely be interested to hear what you decide.

          Brian

            • January 23, 2014 at 3:45 am
            bkinman
            Participant

              Thanks Brian.

              Met with Clinical Trial Dr today. Did not mention the ERK trial. He leaned toward me adding the MEK to the Taflinar which we have been trying to get insurance to approve.  They just denied the prior authorization requesting peer reveiw articles. They did the same thing prior to the FDA approving it as combo therapy.

              I felt better after meeting with him. He is going to consult with Dr Papa concerning potential clinical trials/treatments before suggesting a treatment plan.

              Scheduled to have chemoembolization Friday. He said it would not interfer with the clinical trial if I decided to go that way.

               

              Becky

              • January 23, 2014 at 1:58 pm
              BrianP
              Participant

                Great Becky.  I can't imagine that the insurance company won't approve the MEK.  I think it's just so new and things are changing so fast the insurance companies aren't able to keep up.  The peer review articles will clearly show it has enough benefit to justify the cost.  Sounds like you are in a great place and getting the best care possible.  Prayers coming your way.  Keep us updated.

                Brian

                • January 23, 2014 at 1:58 pm
                BrianP
                Participant

                  Great Becky.  I can't imagine that the insurance company won't approve the MEK.  I think it's just so new and things are changing so fast the insurance companies aren't able to keep up.  The peer review articles will clearly show it has enough benefit to justify the cost.  Sounds like you are in a great place and getting the best care possible.  Prayers coming your way.  Keep us updated.

                  Brian

                  • January 23, 2014 at 1:58 pm
                  BrianP
                  Participant

                    Great Becky.  I can't imagine that the insurance company won't approve the MEK.  I think it's just so new and things are changing so fast the insurance companies aren't able to keep up.  The peer review articles will clearly show it has enough benefit to justify the cost.  Sounds like you are in a great place and getting the best care possible.  Prayers coming your way.  Keep us updated.

                    Brian

                    • January 23, 2014 at 3:19 pm
                    POW
                    Participant

                      Becky, since the Tafinlar + Mekinist combo is FDA approved and your doctor prescribed it, why is BC/BS giving you a hard time? Is your BRAF mutation something other than V600E? I don't understand this.

                      • January 23, 2014 at 3:19 pm
                      POW
                      Participant

                        Becky, since the Tafinlar + Mekinist combo is FDA approved and your doctor prescribed it, why is BC/BS giving you a hard time? Is your BRAF mutation something other than V600E? I don't understand this.

                        • January 23, 2014 at 3:19 pm
                        POW
                        Participant

                          Becky, since the Tafinlar + Mekinist combo is FDA approved and your doctor prescribed it, why is BC/BS giving you a hard time? Is your BRAF mutation something other than V600E? I don't understand this.

                          • January 23, 2014 at 3:45 am
                          bkinman
                          Participant

                            Thanks Brian.

                            Met with Clinical Trial Dr today. Did not mention the ERK trial. He leaned toward me adding the MEK to the Taflinar which we have been trying to get insurance to approve.  They just denied the prior authorization requesting peer reveiw articles. They did the same thing prior to the FDA approving it as combo therapy.

                            I felt better after meeting with him. He is going to consult with Dr Papa concerning potential clinical trials/treatments before suggesting a treatment plan.

                            Scheduled to have chemoembolization Friday. He said it would not interfer with the clinical trial if I decided to go that way.

                             

                            Becky

                            • January 23, 2014 at 3:45 am
                            bkinman
                            Participant

                              Thanks Brian.

                              Met with Clinical Trial Dr today. Did not mention the ERK trial. He leaned toward me adding the MEK to the Taflinar which we have been trying to get insurance to approve.  They just denied the prior authorization requesting peer reveiw articles. They did the same thing prior to the FDA approving it as combo therapy.

                              I felt better after meeting with him. He is going to consult with Dr Papa concerning potential clinical trials/treatments before suggesting a treatment plan.

                              Scheduled to have chemoembolization Friday. He said it would not interfer with the clinical trial if I decided to go that way.

                               

                              Becky

                            • January 23, 2014 at 2:20 am
                            BrianP
                            Participant

                              Becky,

                              Sorry about your situation and sorry I can't be of any help.  I read up on a couple articles on the ERK inhibitor and it does sound interesting.  I don't recall anyone else being in that type of trial on this board so you might be the trail blazer if you go that route.  Best of luck this week.  I'd definitely be interested to hear what you decide.

                              Brian

                              • January 23, 2014 at 2:20 am
                              BrianP
                              Participant

                                Becky,

                                Sorry about your situation and sorry I can't be of any help.  I read up on a couple articles on the ERK inhibitor and it does sound interesting.  I don't recall anyone else being in that type of trial on this board so you might be the trail blazer if you go that route.  Best of luck this week.  I'd definitely be interested to hear what you decide.

                                Brian

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