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Is Yervoy prescribed only for stage IV?
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Is Yervoy prescribed only for stage IV?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Is Yervoy prescribed only for stage IV?

  • Post
    • May 7, 2011 at 1:54 am
    kjshaner444
    Participant

      I've read a lot, but am still uncertain whether Yervoy is prescribed only for late stage (Stage IV). Thanks.

      I've read a lot, but am still uncertain whether Yervoy is prescribed only for late stage (Stage IV). Thanks.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • May 7, 2011 at 2:53 pm
        Jim M.
        Participant

          I'm not sure but my oncologist would know. You can email him and if it's a week day most likely you'll get a response the same day. He's one of the gurus of Ipi. His name is Jeffrey Weber and his email is: [email protected]

           God Bless,

           Jim M.

           

          • May 7, 2011 at 2:53 pm
          Jim M.
          Participant

            I'm not sure but my oncologist would know. You can email him and if it's a week day most likely you'll get a response the same day. He's one of the gurus of Ipi. His name is Jeffrey Weber and his email is: [email protected]

             God Bless,

             Jim M.

             

            • May 7, 2011 at 6:46 pm
            EmilyandMike
            Participant

              Yervoy is approved for Stage 3 or 4 UNRESECTABLE melanoma.  So there are many stage 3 patients who wont qualify for it because their tumors have been removed with surgery. Hopefully the FDA will expand the use of the drug after the results of the adjuvant therapy clinical trials are released.

              http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/739732

              • May 7, 2011 at 6:46 pm
              EmilyandMike
              Participant

                Yervoy is approved for Stage 3 or 4 UNRESECTABLE melanoma.  So there are many stage 3 patients who wont qualify for it because their tumors have been removed with surgery. Hopefully the FDA will expand the use of the drug after the results of the adjuvant therapy clinical trials are released.

                http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/739732

                • May 7, 2011 at 6:59 pm
                Charlie S
                Participant

                  The prescribing information says "for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with or without prior treatment"………………………veeeeeeeeeeery fuzzy.

                  By definition, Stage III is regional metastasis usually involving at least 1 sentinel node with either micro metastasis or full involvement of one or more regional lymph nodes, that in theory should be surgically resectable thus no Yervoy.

                   However maybe a patient is not a good surgical resection candidate due to compelling medical reasons.  If that were the case, the patient would fit the prescribing definition and get Yervoy at Stage III.

                  However, here is a link to an oncologist in California who is intimately involved in the clinical trial process leading up to and ongoing for Yervoy in which he states specifically in the second paragraph that Yervoy is NOW FDA approved for Stage III and Stage IV patients.  http://www.aimatmelanoma.org/aim-for-answers/physican-blog/1744.html

                  Realistically, until the 024 Clinical Trial Results on Yervoy in Stage III patients is announced at the June ASCO conference, it is doubtful many docs will stick their neck out and prescribe Yervoy at Stage III.

                  It's worth a serious conversation with your oncologist for sure..

                  Just a thought.

                  Cheers,

                  Charlie S

                  • May 7, 2011 at 6:59 pm
                  Charlie S
                  Participant

                    The prescribing information says "for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with or without prior treatment"………………………veeeeeeeeeeery fuzzy.

                    By definition, Stage III is regional metastasis usually involving at least 1 sentinel node with either micro metastasis or full involvement of one or more regional lymph nodes, that in theory should be surgically resectable thus no Yervoy.

                     However maybe a patient is not a good surgical resection candidate due to compelling medical reasons.  If that were the case, the patient would fit the prescribing definition and get Yervoy at Stage III.

                    However, here is a link to an oncologist in California who is intimately involved in the clinical trial process leading up to and ongoing for Yervoy in which he states specifically in the second paragraph that Yervoy is NOW FDA approved for Stage III and Stage IV patients.  http://www.aimatmelanoma.org/aim-for-answers/physican-blog/1744.html

                    Realistically, until the 024 Clinical Trial Results on Yervoy in Stage III patients is announced at the June ASCO conference, it is doubtful many docs will stick their neck out and prescribe Yervoy at Stage III.

                    It's worth a serious conversation with your oncologist for sure..

                    Just a thought.

                    Cheers,

                    Charlie S

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