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Mom failed Yervoy and Keytruda
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Mom failed Yervoy and Keytruda

› Forums › Pediatric & AYA Melanoma Community › Mom failed Yervoy and Keytruda

  • Post
    • March 2, 2015 at 10:55 pm
    Savvymama
    Participant

      My mom is 58 years old and presented with stage 4 melanoma in her lymph nodes (neck and groin) in October 2014. She was taken off of Yervoy after only one dose because it dropped her platelet count to 0 and her hemoglobin to 5.5. She had active bleeding. She was hospitalized for 10 days while doctors tried to get her blood counts higher. She then started on Keytruda and was going to have her fourth infusion today but her PET scan showed no tumor response to Keytruda. Tumors are pressing on veins in her legs causing major swelling to her lower extremities. Her doctor will be starting her on a chemotherapy regimen for Taxol and Carboplatin. Does this seem like the next logical step? She is BRAF +. I'm a pediatric oncology nurse so I'm very familiar with chemotherapy but there is a lot I still have to learn about Melanoma. Any advice?  Thanks.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • March 3, 2015 at 12:01 am
        arthurjedi007
        Participant

          Being braf positive I'm very surprised they haven't offered the tafinlar mekinist pills. I would have thought they would want to do that before the chemo option. Otherwise yes besides a clinical trial from what I've read recently people seem to be getting offered that chemo combo.

          Artie

          • March 3, 2015 at 12:01 am
          arthurjedi007
          Participant

            Being braf positive I'm very surprised they haven't offered the tafinlar mekinist pills. I would have thought they would want to do that before the chemo option. Otherwise yes besides a clinical trial from what I've read recently people seem to be getting offered that chemo combo.

            Artie

              • March 3, 2015 at 1:33 am
              Marianne quinn
              Participant

                Sorry for the bad news. However, it does seem a little early to say keytruda is not working. Immunotherapy often takes awhile to kick in and sometimes it looks like the tumors are growing initially. I am surprised that they didn't offer her the braf pills also.

                • March 3, 2015 at 1:33 am
                Marianne quinn
                Participant

                  Sorry for the bad news. However, it does seem a little early to say keytruda is not working. Immunotherapy often takes awhile to kick in and sometimes it looks like the tumors are growing initially. I am surprised that they didn't offer her the braf pills also.

                  • March 3, 2015 at 1:33 am
                  Marianne quinn
                  Participant

                    Sorry for the bad news. However, it does seem a little early to say keytruda is not working. Immunotherapy often takes awhile to kick in and sometimes it looks like the tumors are growing initially. I am surprised that they didn't offer her the braf pills also.

                  • March 3, 2015 at 12:01 am
                  arthurjedi007
                  Participant

                    Being braf positive I'm very surprised they haven't offered the tafinlar mekinist pills. I would have thought they would want to do that before the chemo option. Otherwise yes besides a clinical trial from what I've read recently people seem to be getting offered that chemo combo.

                    Artie

                    • March 3, 2015 at 8:37 am
                    Patina
                    Participant
                      Are you seeing a melanoma specialist and have you gotten a 2nd or 3rd opinion?

                      The lack of BRAF targeted drugs concerns me and I would look fir the nearest comprehensive melanoma treatment center.

                      If you are in the Los Angeles area I recommend Dr. Mike Wong or Dr. Peter Bosaberg.

                      • March 3, 2015 at 8:37 am
                      Patina
                      Participant
                        Are you seeing a melanoma specialist and have you gotten a 2nd or 3rd opinion?

                        The lack of BRAF targeted drugs concerns me and I would look fir the nearest comprehensive melanoma treatment center.

                        If you are in the Los Angeles area I recommend Dr. Mike Wong or Dr. Peter Bosaberg.

                        • March 3, 2015 at 8:37 am
                        Patina
                        Participant
                          Are you seeing a melanoma specialist and have you gotten a 2nd or 3rd opinion?

                          The lack of BRAF targeted drugs concerns me and I would look fir the nearest comprehensive melanoma treatment center.

                          If you are in the Los Angeles area I recommend Dr. Mike Wong or Dr. Peter Bosaberg.

                      Viewing 5 reply threads

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