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New Member Question on Scans (MDX-1106)
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New Member Question on Scans (MDX-1106)

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › New Member Question on Scans (MDX-1106)

  • Post
    • August 7, 2011 at 4:22 pm
    JerNYC
    Participant

      I am new to the community, although I have read postings from time to time that have proved very helpful. However I cannot find an answer to a question I have about scans …

      I have just completed the first round of MDX-1106 (1mg/kg, 4 infusions) and was scanned last Thursday. I was unable to get the results from my Dr as he was out on vacation. However I had a radiologist look at the images and he thinks my disease has grown (each of the diseased nodes are 20-30% larger).

      I am new to the community, although I have read postings from time to time that have proved very helpful. However I cannot find an answer to a question I have about scans …

      I have just completed the first round of MDX-1106 (1mg/kg, 4 infusions) and was scanned last Thursday. I was unable to get the results from my Dr as he was out on vacation. However I had a radiologist look at the images and he thinks my disease has grown (each of the diseased nodes are 20-30% larger).

      As I understand it, progress with mono-clonal antibodies can take time, and I have also heard talk of the Ipi "flare" phenomenon, and am curious whether a similar possibility exists with MDX-1106. I wondered if anyone could shed any light on how conclusive the first scan is for this type of treatment. I'm keeping an open mind right now, as I feel good physically, but to the extent this scan reduces the odds of an ultimately good response to the drug I want to scratch my head a little more about my possible next steps.

      Thank you.

    Viewing 3 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 7, 2011 at 5:16 pm
        MichaelFL
        Participant

          It is my understanding that the half-life of MDX-1106 is about 12-20 days, but I believe a persons lympocyte count will peak at around 30 days and stiil be in a persons system at a increased amount for even up to 70-85 days.

          This question may best be discussed with your doctor.

          Good luck,

          Michael

            • August 7, 2011 at 10:51 pm
            MichaelFL
            Participant

              Oops, should say:

              but I believe if someone will possibly be a responder, thaat persons lympocyte count will peak at around 30 days, and stiil be in a persons system at a increased amount for even up to 70-85 days.

              • August 7, 2011 at 10:51 pm
              MichaelFL
              Participant

                Oops, should say:

                but I believe if someone will possibly be a responder, thaat persons lympocyte count will peak at around 30 days, and stiil be in a persons system at a increased amount for even up to 70-85 days.

                • August 8, 2011 at 7:14 pm
                MichaelFL
                Participant

                  Sometimes it takes more than 12 weeks for the immune system to start successfully fighting because the tumor burden increases due to infiltrating lyphocytes attacking the tumore, etc.

                  Have your lympocytes checked.

                  ALC (absolute lypphocyte count)  JUMP above >1000  is good in terms of possibly being a responder.

                  CRP, creative reactive protein, was it normal values at baseline, again this also has been found by some researchers to be related to responders.

                  • August 8, 2011 at 7:14 pm
                  MichaelFL
                  Participant

                    Sometimes it takes more than 12 weeks for the immune system to start successfully fighting because the tumor burden increases due to infiltrating lyphocytes attacking the tumore, etc.

                    Have your lympocytes checked.

                    ALC (absolute lypphocyte count)  JUMP above >1000  is good in terms of possibly being a responder.

                    CRP, creative reactive protein, was it normal values at baseline, again this also has been found by some researchers to be related to responders.

                  • August 7, 2011 at 5:16 pm
                  MichaelFL
                  Participant

                    It is my understanding that the half-life of MDX-1106 is about 12-20 days, but I believe a persons lympocyte count will peak at around 30 days and stiil be in a persons system at a increased amount for even up to 70-85 days.

                    This question may best be discussed with your doctor.

                    Good luck,

                    Michael

                    • August 8, 2011 at 12:51 am
                    Angela C
                    Participant

                      Hi there.

                      I am on the MDX-1106 trial. It is not uncommon for there to be growth after the first round of treatment. It is an immunotherapy and it can take some time for the immune system to kick in. They told me that it did not matter what the first set of scans showed. I was able to go forward with treatment, even though there was growth in my tumor. The scan you have after the second round will be a better indicator of if the drug is working.

                      Best of luck to you! I have had barely any side effects on this treatment and it has done wonders for some people.

                        • August 8, 2011 at 2:36 am
                        JerNYC
                        Participant

                          Thanks for the input.

                          I have also found the side effect profile very tolerable – much prefer it to Temodar.

                          Best of luck to you as well!

                          • August 8, 2011 at 2:36 am
                          JerNYC
                          Participant

                            Thanks for the input.

                            I have also found the side effect profile very tolerable – much prefer it to Temodar.

                            Best of luck to you as well!

                          • August 8, 2011 at 12:51 am
                          Angela C
                          Participant

                            Hi there.

                            I am on the MDX-1106 trial. It is not uncommon for there to be growth after the first round of treatment. It is an immunotherapy and it can take some time for the immune system to kick in. They told me that it did not matter what the first set of scans showed. I was able to go forward with treatment, even though there was growth in my tumor. The scan you have after the second round will be a better indicator of if the drug is working.

                            Best of luck to you! I have had barely any side effects on this treatment and it has done wonders for some people.

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