cstratos

Jill,

Is Eric BRAF positive? Have you considered PLX4032. 60% of all melanoma cancers are BRAF positive, and PLX4032 has an 80 to 90% probability of shrinking the tumors.  I have stage 4. I started PLX4032 February 28, 2010 and it has reduced my tumors by 54%. It has relatively few side effects. It would be worth a shot. My strategy is to allow it to shrink my cancer as much as possible, or kill it, and if it stops working shift over to ipilimibaub and hope to manage or kill it.  Ipi will likely be FDA approved by the end of the year, and PLX4032 will likely be FDA approved by the end of 2011. 

See this link: http://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-101/american-society-clinical-oncology-asco-june-2010-update

Cheryl

Jill,

Is Eric BRAF positive? Have you considered PLX4032. 60% of all melanoma cancers are BRAF positive, and PLX4032 has an 80 to 90% probability of shrinking the tumors.  I have stage 4. I started PLX4032 February 28, 2010 and it has reduced my tumors by 54%. It has relatively few side effects. It would be worth a shot. My strategy is to allow it to shrink my cancer as much as possible, or kill it, and if it stops working shift over to ipilimibaub and hope to manage or kill it.  Ipi will likely be FDA approved by the end of the year, and PLX4032 will likely be FDA approved by the end of 2011. 

See this link: http://www.melanoma.org/learn-more/melanoma-101/american-society-clinical-oncology-asco-june-2010-update

Cheryl

I am 45 just diagnosed with Stage IV.  I tested positive for the B-RAF. I have been in the PLX4032 trail for seven months. My tumors have reduced by 54%. I do have side effects – loss of hair, skin rash, night sweats, nausea and diarrhea. But, all in all, not bad relative to what I hear about IL2.   I am hoping this will be the magic pill and make this melanoma go away, but I know I must be prepared to have an arsenal of back-up plans in order to reach the finish line. I believe we are close to finding a solution to this disease. It is just a matter of time and the goal is to maintain until that cure comes along.

Keep the faith.  Remember, some days are hopscotch kind of days, some days are like "getting nailed at dodgeball" kind of days. Just keep moving forward with a smile.

I am 45 just diagnosed with Stage IV.  I tested positive for the B-RAF. I have been in the PLX4032 trail for seven months. My tumors have reduced by 54%. I do have side effects – loss of hair, skin rash, night sweats, nausea and diarrhea. But, all in all, not bad relative to what I hear about IL2.   I am hoping this will be the magic pill and make this melanoma go away, but I know I must be prepared to have an arsenal of back-up plans in order to reach the finish line. I believe we are close to finding a solution to this disease. It is just a matter of time and the goal is to maintain until that cure comes along.

Keep the faith.  Remember, some days are hopscotch kind of days, some days are like "getting nailed at dodgeball" kind of days. Just keep moving forward with a smile.