mek/chemo reduction question
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mek/chemo reduction question

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › mek/chemo reduction question

  • Post
    • September 3, 2011 at 7:38 pm
    sharmon
    Participant

    Hi,  Brent has been stable on the Gsk mek/ chemo combination for 18 months.  14 of those months with mek alone. When he progressed then they added Alimta. So for the  last 4 months and with chemo added he has been stable again.  The problem is the chemo is very hard on him.  He almost always lands in the hospital after his infusion.

    Hi,  Brent has been stable on the Gsk mek/ chemo combination for 18 months.  14 of those months with mek alone. When he progressed then they added Alimta. So for the  last 4 months and with chemo added he has been stable again.  The problem is the chemo is very hard on him.  He almost always lands in the hospital after his infusion.   Two months ago they reduced the chemo and there was no difference.  This past week when he went in for the infusion his blood counts were too low.  So he has to go back in two weeks to see if he can receive the chemo at an additional 25% reduction.  What he has been on is working to keep him stable.

    Has anyone been through the reduction of chemo and does it get better at the lower doses?  We have another trial he can move to in October using two inhibitors. These two new inhibitors are not from GSK.  It is scary to move, but the chemo does reduce his quality of life.  And there is no way of knowing if the new combo will even work for him.

    If we choose to move to the new combo then we need to not do the upcoming infusion to begin the washout  period. 

    If anyone has any thoughts or has been through a similar experience I could use some input. 

    Thankyou for all your help and input.  This forum has kept me sane.

    Sharmon

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  • Replies
      • September 3, 2011 at 9:33 pm
      killmel
      Participant

      Hi Sharmon,

       

      I am so sorry to hear about the chem problems for Brent. If things werenot  bad enough.

      You mentione that you can move to another trial using two new inhibitors.

      Perhaps, you should post the new trial name,what are the 2  inhibitor, and/or NCT clinical trial number to see if anyone can give you feedback on that new trial. Maybe someone is on the new trial.

      Hope things get better for Brent.

      Dave

      • September 3, 2011 at 9:33 pm
      killmel
      Participant

      Hi Sharmon,

       

      I am so sorry to hear about the chem problems for Brent. If things werenot  bad enough.

      You mentione that you can move to another trial using two new inhibitors.

      Perhaps, you should post the new trial name,what are the 2  inhibitor, and/or NCT clinical trial number to see if anyone can give you feedback on that new trial. Maybe someone is on the new trial.

      Hope things get better for Brent.

      Dave

      • September 3, 2011 at 11:37 pm
      washoegal
      Participant

      It would also be helpful if you filled out a brief profile.  Is he BRAF positive?  What other things has he tried?  Is there any brain involvement?  We have some really smart people here and some folks who have been through it ALL.  So more info is good.

      Best of Luck

      Mary

      Stage 3

      • September 3, 2011 at 11:37 pm
      washoegal
      Participant

      It would also be helpful if you filled out a brief profile.  Is he BRAF positive?  What other things has he tried?  Is there any brain involvement?  We have some really smart people here and some folks who have been through it ALL.  So more info is good.

      Best of Luck

      Mary

      Stage 3

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