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Bad day – ALC went down during Yervoy
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Bad day – ALC went down during Yervoy

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Bad day – ALC went down during Yervoy

  • Post
    • November 1, 2011 at 2:21 am
    cwu
    Participant

      Today was not a good day for dad. Today is his 7th week and his ALC number went down. It was 1.58 berfore Yervoy, 1.98 at week 4, and today (week 7) was 1.5.  I know that ALC is a good marker for responders and it should double by week 7 so this is not good news. Is there anyone out there who had ALC number drop during Yervoy and still end up being a responder? How accurate is ALC as a marker?

      Today was not a good day for dad. Today is his 7th week and his ALC number went down. It was 1.58 berfore Yervoy, 1.98 at week 4, and today (week 7) was 1.5.  I know that ALC is a good marker for responders and it should double by week 7 so this is not good news. Is there anyone out there who had ALC number drop during Yervoy and still end up being a responder? How accurate is ALC as a marker? His oncologist was pessimistic today at his appointment, he said that he didnt feel that it is working as dad's lesions have gotten bigger and more have grown and he didnt see any improvements. But he recommended dad to finish the third and fourth dose. Dad got his third dose today.  I feel so hopeless and dont know what to believe.

      Any advice is appreciated.  Thanks for your help.

      Chau

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 1, 2011 at 10:02 am
        FormerCaregiver
        Participant

          Chau, I am not sure how accurate ALC is as indicator of response. However, I agree that
          things don't seem to be going as well as expected although Yervoy can take some time to
          work.

          I have read that interleukin-2 (IL-2) may be helpful in this situation. See:
          http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/ipi-responders-what-now#comment-27863
          (If clicking on the link doesn't work, just copy and paste it into the address bar of
          your browser).

          Hope this helps.

          Frank from Australia

            • November 1, 2011 at 6:49 pm
            cwu
            Participant

              Hi Frank,

              Thank you for the link, I will look into IL-2 and anti-PD1 trials.  I am just so confused and upset why his oncologist was so pessimistic as he told us three weeks ago that it is normal for new lesions to grow and get bigger while on Yervoy. I know that the drop in ALC is not good. I am having a very difficult time accepting that Yervoy is not working. My father is 83 years old and I dont think he will want to continue or can be convinced to continue another drug if this doesnt work.

              Chau

              • November 1, 2011 at 6:49 pm
              cwu
              Participant

                Hi Frank,

                Thank you for the link, I will look into IL-2 and anti-PD1 trials.  I am just so confused and upset why his oncologist was so pessimistic as he told us three weeks ago that it is normal for new lesions to grow and get bigger while on Yervoy. I know that the drop in ALC is not good. I am having a very difficult time accepting that Yervoy is not working. My father is 83 years old and I dont think he will want to continue or can be convinced to continue another drug if this doesnt work.

                Chau

                • November 1, 2011 at 6:49 pm
                cwu
                Participant

                  Hi Frank,

                  Thank you for the link, I will look into IL-2 and anti-PD1 trials.  I am just so confused and upset why his oncologist was so pessimistic as he told us three weeks ago that it is normal for new lesions to grow and get bigger while on Yervoy. I know that the drop in ALC is not good. I am having a very difficult time accepting that Yervoy is not working. My father is 83 years old and I dont think he will want to continue or can be convinced to continue another drug if this doesnt work.

                  Chau

                • November 1, 2011 at 10:02 am
                FormerCaregiver
                Participant

                  Chau, I am not sure how accurate ALC is as indicator of response. However, I agree that
                  things don't seem to be going as well as expected although Yervoy can take some time to
                  work.

                  I have read that interleukin-2 (IL-2) may be helpful in this situation. See:
                  http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/ipi-responders-what-now#comment-27863
                  (If clicking on the link doesn't work, just copy and paste it into the address bar of
                  your browser).

                  Hope this helps.

                  Frank from Australia

                  • November 1, 2011 at 10:02 am
                  FormerCaregiver
                  Participant

                    Chau, I am not sure how accurate ALC is as indicator of response. However, I agree that
                    things don't seem to be going as well as expected although Yervoy can take some time to
                    work.

                    I have read that interleukin-2 (IL-2) may be helpful in this situation. See:
                    http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/ipi-responders-what-now#comment-27863
                    (If clicking on the link doesn't work, just copy and paste it into the address bar of
                    your browser).

                    Hope this helps.

                    Frank from Australia

                Viewing 2 reply threads
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