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Nivolumab vs keytruda
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Nivolumab vs keytruda

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Nivolumab vs keytruda

  • Post
    • January 30, 2015 at 8:53 am
    Kate_perth
    Participant

      Are these drugs the same? I was kicked off the nivolumab trial for progression at week 12 late last year…. 

      Just wondering if it's worth trying keytruda or if they are exactly the same drug, just from different companies? 

       

      Anyone heard of someone who has tried both?

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 30, 2015 at 1:52 pm
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Kate,

          Sorry Nivo did not provide the results you needed.  Unfortunately, to your question about whether Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) are the same or different….there is no difinitive answer.  They are certainly very similar…both being anti-PD1 products.  I have been told (and read in research articles) that they are "basically the same drug".  Yet, occasionally the Melanoma Big Dogs ponder their differences.  These two drugs have never been placed in a head to head trial. Both have about the same response rate of 30%…give or take….depending on the study.  As more patients take these recently approved drugs, more of them are facing the same question you are.  Either Opdivo or Keytruda did not provide the response they needed and they are trying (or wanting to try) the opposite.  Whether it will benefit them or not remains to be seen.  Gradually, their results will trickle out, I suspect.

          Here is the best information I have "comparing" the anti-PD1 products:

          http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/07/nivoipi-combo-nivo-vs-pembro-pd-l1.html

          http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/10/anti-pd1-nivo-and-pembro-as-first-line.html

          http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/06/pretty-darn-impressivea-chat-between.html

          I think a potentially beneficial treatment option for you might consider is an 'ipi combo'.  Here are some that Dr. Weber presented.  When and where remains a question of course…as do results….sigh.  Like I mentioned to Paul, Melanoma is like a bunch of chocolates….  only not delicious, or fun, or….  oh well…here you go:

          http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=ipi+combo

          I wish you my best.  Celeste

          • January 30, 2015 at 1:52 pm
          Bubbles
          Participant

            Kate,

            Sorry Nivo did not provide the results you needed.  Unfortunately, to your question about whether Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) are the same or different….there is no difinitive answer.  They are certainly very similar…both being anti-PD1 products.  I have been told (and read in research articles) that they are "basically the same drug".  Yet, occasionally the Melanoma Big Dogs ponder their differences.  These two drugs have never been placed in a head to head trial. Both have about the same response rate of 30%…give or take….depending on the study.  As more patients take these recently approved drugs, more of them are facing the same question you are.  Either Opdivo or Keytruda did not provide the response they needed and they are trying (or wanting to try) the opposite.  Whether it will benefit them or not remains to be seen.  Gradually, their results will trickle out, I suspect.

            Here is the best information I have "comparing" the anti-PD1 products:

            http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/07/nivoipi-combo-nivo-vs-pembro-pd-l1.html

            http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/10/anti-pd1-nivo-and-pembro-as-first-line.html

            http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/06/pretty-darn-impressivea-chat-between.html

            I think a potentially beneficial treatment option for you might consider is an 'ipi combo'.  Here are some that Dr. Weber presented.  When and where remains a question of course…as do results….sigh.  Like I mentioned to Paul, Melanoma is like a bunch of chocolates….  only not delicious, or fun, or….  oh well…here you go:

            http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=ipi+combo

            I wish you my best.  Celeste

            • January 30, 2015 at 1:52 pm
            Bubbles
            Participant

              Kate,

              Sorry Nivo did not provide the results you needed.  Unfortunately, to your question about whether Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) are the same or different….there is no difinitive answer.  They are certainly very similar…both being anti-PD1 products.  I have been told (and read in research articles) that they are "basically the same drug".  Yet, occasionally the Melanoma Big Dogs ponder their differences.  These two drugs have never been placed in a head to head trial. Both have about the same response rate of 30%…give or take….depending on the study.  As more patients take these recently approved drugs, more of them are facing the same question you are.  Either Opdivo or Keytruda did not provide the response they needed and they are trying (or wanting to try) the opposite.  Whether it will benefit them or not remains to be seen.  Gradually, their results will trickle out, I suspect.

              Here is the best information I have "comparing" the anti-PD1 products:

              http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/07/nivoipi-combo-nivo-vs-pembro-pd-l1.html

              http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/10/anti-pd1-nivo-and-pembro-as-first-line.html

              http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/06/pretty-darn-impressivea-chat-between.html

              I think a potentially beneficial treatment option for you might consider is an 'ipi combo'.  Here are some that Dr. Weber presented.  When and where remains a question of course…as do results….sigh.  Like I mentioned to Paul, Melanoma is like a bunch of chocolates….  only not delicious, or fun, or….  oh well…here you go:

              http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=ipi+combo

              I wish you my best.  Celeste

              • January 31, 2015 at 3:41 pm
              Cooper
              Participant

                My doctor told me that Keytruda had 38% response and Opdivo 32% for melanoma.  He also said they are different molecules so it is worth it to try both if one doesn't work.  He also mentioned something about being PDL positive making a difference.

                  • January 31, 2015 at 5:46 pm
                  ed williams
                  Participant

                    The % get a little difficult to compare, especially if you are not a doctor or research scientist. I have heard some of the leading experts talk about the % and they usually start talking about the actual patients that were in the study. One study may be different from another by how some the patients had prior treatments before getting the drug vs treatment naive. I think it is important to consider the Pd-1 pathway is only one of the inhibitory pathways being researched at the moment. Dr.s  are looking at Tim-3, BTLA, Vista, Lag-3 and also the activating receptors, OX40,CD137,CD27, CD28 and GITR. There are many new and exciting trials that will be opening with combinations as well. This year at ASCO they will be reporting on BMS trial of Ipi and Nivolumab combination which I have been lucky enough to be in. I feel it is very important to do your research and get a second or even third opinion before making a decision about treatment paths. Ed

                    • February 1, 2015 at 12:43 am
                    Nan in Nebraska
                    Participant

                      Are you experiencing any side effects? If so, what are they?

                      Thanks,

                      Nan

                      • February 1, 2015 at 12:43 am
                      Nan in Nebraska
                      Participant

                        Are you experiencing any side effects? If so, what are they?

                        Thanks,

                        Nan

                        • February 1, 2015 at 12:43 am
                        Nan in Nebraska
                        Participant

                          Are you experiencing any side effects? If so, what are they?

                          Thanks,

                          Nan

                          • January 31, 2015 at 5:46 pm
                          ed williams
                          Participant

                            The % get a little difficult to compare, especially if you are not a doctor or research scientist. I have heard some of the leading experts talk about the % and they usually start talking about the actual patients that were in the study. One study may be different from another by how some the patients had prior treatments before getting the drug vs treatment naive. I think it is important to consider the Pd-1 pathway is only one of the inhibitory pathways being researched at the moment. Dr.s  are looking at Tim-3, BTLA, Vista, Lag-3 and also the activating receptors, OX40,CD137,CD27, CD28 and GITR. There are many new and exciting trials that will be opening with combinations as well. This year at ASCO they will be reporting on BMS trial of Ipi and Nivolumab combination which I have been lucky enough to be in. I feel it is very important to do your research and get a second or even third opinion before making a decision about treatment paths. Ed

                            • January 31, 2015 at 5:46 pm
                            ed williams
                            Participant

                              The % get a little difficult to compare, especially if you are not a doctor or research scientist. I have heard some of the leading experts talk about the % and they usually start talking about the actual patients that were in the study. One study may be different from another by how some the patients had prior treatments before getting the drug vs treatment naive. I think it is important to consider the Pd-1 pathway is only one of the inhibitory pathways being researched at the moment. Dr.s  are looking at Tim-3, BTLA, Vista, Lag-3 and also the activating receptors, OX40,CD137,CD27, CD28 and GITR. There are many new and exciting trials that will be opening with combinations as well. This year at ASCO they will be reporting on BMS trial of Ipi and Nivolumab combination which I have been lucky enough to be in. I feel it is very important to do your research and get a second or even third opinion before making a decision about treatment paths. Ed

                            • January 31, 2015 at 3:41 pm
                            Cooper
                            Participant

                              My doctor told me that Keytruda had 38% response and Opdivo 32% for melanoma.  He also said they are different molecules so it is worth it to try both if one doesn't work.  He also mentioned something about being PDL positive making a difference.

                              • January 31, 2015 at 3:41 pm
                              Cooper
                              Participant

                                My doctor told me that Keytruda had 38% response and Opdivo 32% for melanoma.  He also said they are different molecules so it is worth it to try both if one doesn't work.  He also mentioned something about being PDL positive making a difference.

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