Braf combo has stopped working.

Hi there,

So sorry to hear the combo has stopped working and about the new mets.

My husband is currently on Keytruda and has received SRS (or gamma knife) on all 9 of his brain mets.  You mentioned brain radiation AND gamma knife – are your doctors discussing doing whole brain radiation?  I would be a little wary of that – we thought that my husband was going to have WBR after he had 4 brain mets pop up in 2 weeks, but his radiation oncologists were rather against it.  There can be cognitive issues that stem from WBR – targeted radiation (we were told) is safer and can be more effective.   

Optivo sounds like a good plan.  Anti-PD1 drugs can pass the blood-brain barrier, which is wonderful for patients with brain lesions.  My husband is tolerating Keytruda very well and has minimal side effects – hoping the same for you!!  

Lots of good thoughts and prayers coming your way.  

Katie 

Hi there,

So sorry to hear the combo has stopped working and about the new mets.

My husband is currently on Keytruda and has received SRS (or gamma knife) on all 9 of his brain mets.  You mentioned brain radiation AND gamma knife – are your doctors discussing doing whole brain radiation?  I would be a little wary of that – we thought that my husband was going to have WBR after he had 4 brain mets pop up in 2 weeks, but his radiation oncologists were rather against it.  There can be cognitive issues that stem from WBR – targeted radiation (we were told) is safer and can be more effective.   

Optivo sounds like a good plan.  Anti-PD1 drugs can pass the blood-brain barrier, which is wonderful for patients with brain lesions.  My husband is tolerating Keytruda very well and has minimal side effects – hoping the same for you!!  

Lots of good thoughts and prayers coming your way.  

Katie 

Hi there,

So sorry to hear the combo has stopped working and about the new mets.

My husband is currently on Keytruda and has received SRS (or gamma knife) on all 9 of his brain mets.  You mentioned brain radiation AND gamma knife – are your doctors discussing doing whole brain radiation?  I would be a little wary of that – we thought that my husband was going to have WBR after he had 4 brain mets pop up in 2 weeks, but his radiation oncologists were rather against it.  There can be cognitive issues that stem from WBR – targeted radiation (we were told) is safer and can be more effective.   

Optivo sounds like a good plan.  Anti-PD1 drugs can pass the blood-brain barrier, which is wonderful for patients with brain lesions.  My husband is tolerating Keytruda very well and has minimal side effects – hoping the same for you!!  

Lots of good thoughts and prayers coming your way.  

Katie 

Hey Banders, 

In April 2010 I had SRS to a brain lesion and the right upper lobe of my lung removed due to melanoma mets. That December I started a nivolumab/Opdivo trial that lasted 2 1/2 years. I had scans last week and remain NED….for 5 years. Now 27 months since my last nivo infusion.

Here is an older post about anti-PD1 generally:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/06/anti-pd1-in-melanoma-t-cells-brain-and.html

Here is a post regarding side effects: http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2013/10/side-effects-of-nivolumab.html

And here are several articles that address the positive benefits gained when immunotherapy (like anti-PD1) is combined or sequential with radiation:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/03/radiation-for-melanomabetter-when.html

If I can do it…you can do it better!  Hang in there! Wishing you well, celeste

Hey Banders, 

In April 2010 I had SRS to a brain lesion and the right upper lobe of my lung removed due to melanoma mets. That December I started a nivolumab/Opdivo trial that lasted 2 1/2 years. I had scans last week and remain NED….for 5 years. Now 27 months since my last nivo infusion.

Here is an older post about anti-PD1 generally:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/06/anti-pd1-in-melanoma-t-cells-brain-and.html

Here is a post regarding side effects: http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2013/10/side-effects-of-nivolumab.html

And here are several articles that address the positive benefits gained when immunotherapy (like anti-PD1) is combined or sequential with radiation:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/03/radiation-for-melanomabetter-when.html

If I can do it…you can do it better!  Hang in there! Wishing you well, celeste

Hey Banders, 

In April 2010 I had SRS to a brain lesion and the right upper lobe of my lung removed due to melanoma mets. That December I started a nivolumab/Opdivo trial that lasted 2 1/2 years. I had scans last week and remain NED….for 5 years. Now 27 months since my last nivo infusion.

Here is an older post about anti-PD1 generally:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/06/anti-pd1-in-melanoma-t-cells-brain-and.html

Here is a post regarding side effects: http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2013/10/side-effects-of-nivolumab.html

And here are several articles that address the positive benefits gained when immunotherapy (like anti-PD1) is combined or sequential with radiation:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2015/03/radiation-for-melanomabetter-when.html

If I can do it…you can do it better!  Hang in there! Wishing you well, celeste