Local recurrence?

As far as FDA approved if you are BRAF positive you can take the Tafinlar/Mekenist combo. From personal experience I would do it rather than Zelboraf. I did both and it was much easier to tolerate. But everyone is different. Also the combo is targetting both B-RAF and MEK whereas Zelboraf only targets B-RAF.

Also for FDA since you have already done ipi and if you are BRAF negative or the BRAF fails you then you can do PD-1. That is either Merck's Keytruda PD1 which is what I'm on. It is 2mg/kg every 3 weeks. Or the newly approved BMS Opdivo PD1 which is 3mg/kg every 2 weeks.

Of course you know about trials. I'm not really sure what would be good in your situation but I would think anything with PD1 but that is just my opinion.

Best of luck to you.

Artie

As far as FDA approved if you are BRAF positive you can take the Tafinlar/Mekenist combo. From personal experience I would do it rather than Zelboraf. I did both and it was much easier to tolerate. But everyone is different. Also the combo is targetting both B-RAF and MEK whereas Zelboraf only targets B-RAF.

Also for FDA since you have already done ipi and if you are BRAF negative or the BRAF fails you then you can do PD-1. That is either Merck's Keytruda PD1 which is what I'm on. It is 2mg/kg every 3 weeks. Or the newly approved BMS Opdivo PD1 which is 3mg/kg every 2 weeks.

Of course you know about trials. I'm not really sure what would be good in your situation but I would think anything with PD1 but that is just my opinion.

Best of luck to you.

Artie

As far as FDA approved if you are BRAF positive you can take the Tafinlar/Mekenist combo. From personal experience I would do it rather than Zelboraf. I did both and it was much easier to tolerate. But everyone is different. Also the combo is targetting both B-RAF and MEK whereas Zelboraf only targets B-RAF.

Also for FDA since you have already done ipi and if you are BRAF negative or the BRAF fails you then you can do PD-1. That is either Merck's Keytruda PD1 which is what I'm on. It is 2mg/kg every 3 weeks. Or the newly approved BMS Opdivo PD1 which is 3mg/kg every 2 weeks.

Of course you know about trials. I'm not really sure what would be good in your situation but I would think anything with PD1 but that is just my opinion.

Best of luck to you.

Artie

Hi Heidi- I was glad to see your post, although not the news.  My husband was in the same trial as you at the same time with the same  10 mg dose of ipi. He finished the 4 induction infusions with manageable side effects. Unfortunately, a small liver metastasis was found at the week 14 scan. He had microwave ablation surgery and has been NED since then. No further treatment and no maintenance doses. It was really hard emotionally to be removed from the trial.

Your tumor is in a registry somewhere. Your doctor should get it tested for genetic variations. This will influence your further treatment. Keytruda or Nivo may be an option also. It sounds like they are going to biopsy the node which was the first thing they did for my husband.

I am sorry you got such bad news before Christmas. I know last Christmas was really stressful for us starting the trial and everything. It sucks that you have to go through another anxiety producting holiday.

Please keep us updated.

Hi Heidi- I was glad to see your post, although not the news.  My husband was in the same trial as you at the same time with the same  10 mg dose of ipi. He finished the 4 induction infusions with manageable side effects. Unfortunately, a small liver metastasis was found at the week 14 scan. He had microwave ablation surgery and has been NED since then. No further treatment and no maintenance doses. It was really hard emotionally to be removed from the trial.

Your tumor is in a registry somewhere. Your doctor should get it tested for genetic variations. This will influence your further treatment. Keytruda or Nivo may be an option also. It sounds like they are going to biopsy the node which was the first thing they did for my husband.

I am sorry you got such bad news before Christmas. I know last Christmas was really stressful for us starting the trial and everything. It sucks that you have to go through another anxiety producting holiday.

Please keep us updated.

Hi Heidi- I was glad to see your post, although not the news.  My husband was in the same trial as you at the same time with the same  10 mg dose of ipi. He finished the 4 induction infusions with manageable side effects. Unfortunately, a small liver metastasis was found at the week 14 scan. He had microwave ablation surgery and has been NED since then. No further treatment and no maintenance doses. It was really hard emotionally to be removed from the trial.

Your tumor is in a registry somewhere. Your doctor should get it tested for genetic variations. This will influence your further treatment. Keytruda or Nivo may be an option also. It sounds like they are going to biopsy the node which was the first thing they did for my husband.

I am sorry you got such bad news before Christmas. I know last Christmas was really stressful for us starting the trial and everything. It sucks that you have to go through another anxiety producting holiday.

Please keep us updated.

Heidi,

So sorry for this news right at Christmas time.  Hopefully it hasn't distracted you too much from enjoying the season.  I know the news of the swollen node is very concerning but try not to jump to the worst conclusions too soon.  Could just be an inflamed node or it could be ipi causing some time of inflamation at that particular node.  The timing of the next scan is fortunate.  I think you are on the right track with needle aspiration.  It's really tough to contemplate next steps until you get the results from the aspiration.  Hang in their Heidi.  Praying for you.

Brian

Heidi,

So sorry for this news right at Christmas time.  Hopefully it hasn't distracted you too much from enjoying the season.  I know the news of the swollen node is very concerning but try not to jump to the worst conclusions too soon.  Could just be an inflamed node or it could be ipi causing some time of inflamation at that particular node.  The timing of the next scan is fortunate.  I think you are on the right track with needle aspiration.  It's really tough to contemplate next steps until you get the results from the aspiration.  Hang in their Heidi.  Praying for you.

Brian

Heidi,

So sorry for this news right at Christmas time.  Hopefully it hasn't distracted you too much from enjoying the season.  I know the news of the swollen node is very concerning but try not to jump to the worst conclusions too soon.  Could just be an inflamed node or it could be ipi causing some time of inflamation at that particular node.  The timing of the next scan is fortunate.  I think you are on the right track with needle aspiration.  It's really tough to contemplate next steps until you get the results from the aspiration.  Hang in their Heidi.  Praying for you.

Brian