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When to start Interferon?
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When to start Interferon?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › When to start Interferon?

  • Post
    • January 12, 2011 at 3:40 pm
    ockelly
    Participant

      My husband TJ was dx with Stage 3b MM (amelanotic with unknown primary) in Nov.  We are waiting to hear

      if he qualifies for the GSK DERMA clinical trail.  The process is taking much longer than expected.  We plan to 

      start Interferon if he does not qualify.  Wondering what the optimal time frame is to start?  I thought I had heard

      approx 70 days post dx (or maybe post op??).  He had the node removed on 11/4 and parotidectomy and SLND on 12/2.

      Thanks 

      Kelly

      My husband TJ was dx with Stage 3b MM (amelanotic with unknown primary) in Nov.  We are waiting to hear

      if he qualifies for the GSK DERMA clinical trail.  The process is taking much longer than expected.  We plan to 

      start Interferon if he does not qualify.  Wondering what the optimal time frame is to start?  I thought I had heard

      approx 70 days post dx (or maybe post op??).  He had the node removed on 11/4 and parotidectomy and SLND on 12/2.

      Thanks 

      Kelly

    Viewing 3 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 12, 2011 at 3:46 pm
        dian in spokane
        Participant

          Unless things have changed in the last few years, Interferon is best started within 58 days of the last surgery

            • January 12, 2011 at 10:41 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              Just to expand on Dian's comment….

              All the clinical trials for Interferon's effectiveness required that a person start the trial within 58 days of surgery.  This means that if you start Interferon later than 58 days after surgery, the statistics that you based your decision for using Interferon are no longer valid.  It doesn't mean Interferon will or won't be effective for you.  It doesn't have great numbers to begin with.  But any statistics you see regarding Interferon are based on starting treatment within that 58 days.

              Best wishes,

              Janner

              • January 12, 2011 at 11:08 pm
              ockelly
              Participant

                Thanks for the info Janner

                Kelly

                • January 12, 2011 at 11:08 pm
                ockelly
                Participant

                  Thanks for the info Janner

                  Kelly

                  • January 12, 2011 at 10:41 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    Just to expand on Dian's comment….

                    All the clinical trials for Interferon's effectiveness required that a person start the trial within 58 days of surgery.  This means that if you start Interferon later than 58 days after surgery, the statistics that you based your decision for using Interferon are no longer valid.  It doesn't mean Interferon will or won't be effective for you.  It doesn't have great numbers to begin with.  But any statistics you see regarding Interferon are based on starting treatment within that 58 days.

                    Best wishes,

                    Janner

                  • January 12, 2011 at 3:46 pm
                  dian in spokane
                  Participant

                    Unless things have changed in the last few years, Interferon is best started within 58 days of the last surgery

                    • January 12, 2011 at 6:04 pm
                    joy_
                    Participant

                      It is post op.  My husband had amelanotic too and had hoped for the DERMA trial but didn't quality so he did one month of interferon.  That study looks good.  Hope it works out for you guys!

                        • January 12, 2011 at 8:41 pm
                        ockelly
                        Participant

                          Tracy

                          How long after SLND did your husband start Interferon?

                          Kelly

                          • January 13, 2011 at 7:24 pm
                          joy_
                          Participant

                            He started at 62 days post op.  It took longer than usual for us to find out he did not qualify for the trial…

                            • January 13, 2011 at 7:24 pm
                            joy_
                            Participant

                              He started at 62 days post op.  It took longer than usual for us to find out he did not qualify for the trial…

                              • January 12, 2011 at 8:41 pm
                              ockelly
                              Participant

                                Tracy

                                How long after SLND did your husband start Interferon?

                                Kelly

                              • January 12, 2011 at 6:04 pm
                              joy_
                              Participant

                                It is post op.  My husband had amelanotic too and had hoped for the DERMA trial but didn't quality so he did one month of interferon.  That study looks good.  Hope it works out for you guys!

                            Viewing 3 reply threads
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