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help needed

Forums General Melanoma Community help needed

  • Post
    gcooperbl
    Participant

      my dad has stage 4 melanoma in brain lungs and liver……he has been offered pembro but only one dose? we cant understand why as it is supposed to take 3-4 doses min? 

      he is braf negative 

      his cancer in liver is getting worse and needs treated asap, he is due to start pembro next week, and he is on steroids though coming off them.

      any advice? he needs the best treatment? any other drugs out there that could help? or any more tests we could do?

       

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        Scooby123
        Participant

          Hi gcooperl

           

          So sorry th hear your dad is dealing with this disease. I have not taken pembro but have had ippi. Not sure why your dad has been offered only one dose of treatment. How is your dad feeling in him self. There is lots of lovely people on this site with experience of taking pembro and will be able to give advice. It does not seem correct in only one dose I believe but forgive me if wrong when you on pembro it is normally taken till it does not work anymore.

          i am braf negative but just had ippi treatment at present I have liver , lungs and other areas of disease. 

          All the best here if you need anymore help 

          scooby❤️

          Scooby123
          Participant

            Hi gcooperl

             

            So sorry th hear your dad is dealing with this disease. I have not taken pembro but have had ippi. Not sure why your dad has been offered only one dose of treatment. How is your dad feeling in him self. There is lots of lovely people on this site with experience of taking pembro and will be able to give advice. It does not seem correct in only one dose I believe but forgive me if wrong when you on pembro it is normally taken till it does not work anymore.

            i am braf negative but just had ippi treatment at present I have liver , lungs and other areas of disease. 

            All the best here if you need anymore help 

            scooby❤️

            Scooby123
            Participant

              Hi gcooperl

               

              So sorry th hear your dad is dealing with this disease. I have not taken pembro but have had ippi. Not sure why your dad has been offered only one dose of treatment. How is your dad feeling in him self. There is lots of lovely people on this site with experience of taking pembro and will be able to give advice. It does not seem correct in only one dose I believe but forgive me if wrong when you on pembro it is normally taken till it does not work anymore.

              i am braf negative but just had ippi treatment at present I have liver , lungs and other areas of disease. 

              All the best here if you need anymore help 

              scooby❤️

              JuTMSY4
              Participant

                Hi

                I took ipi and then pembro (back when pembro was just approved, but you had to fail ipi first).  Are you located in the US.  If you're not, I am not familiar with the guidelines, etc.  

                If you are, are you sure its one dose?  Pembro is given once every 3 weeks or so, I believe (that's my course).  It also may have immediate results (some respond very quick) and it can also cause immediate/severe side effects.  On the other end of the spectrum, it can have mild to no side effects and take several doses/time to show any results.  In between can be growth, stability, reduction and then growth and/or growth/inflammation and reduction after.  

                I would confirm that course of treatment first and perhaps you are misreading 1 "dose" as one 3 month course (or similar).  Also, there are clinical trials in the US combining Pembro and/or Nivo with other drugs including Ipi (the Nivo/ipi combo being the most prevelant).  You could investigate those.  

                Good luck – it's a tough road, but hang in there.  

                -Justin

                JuTMSY4
                Participant

                  Hi

                  I took ipi and then pembro (back when pembro was just approved, but you had to fail ipi first).  Are you located in the US.  If you're not, I am not familiar with the guidelines, etc.  

                  If you are, are you sure its one dose?  Pembro is given once every 3 weeks or so, I believe (that's my course).  It also may have immediate results (some respond very quick) and it can also cause immediate/severe side effects.  On the other end of the spectrum, it can have mild to no side effects and take several doses/time to show any results.  In between can be growth, stability, reduction and then growth and/or growth/inflammation and reduction after.  

                  I would confirm that course of treatment first and perhaps you are misreading 1 "dose" as one 3 month course (or similar).  Also, there are clinical trials in the US combining Pembro and/or Nivo with other drugs including Ipi (the Nivo/ipi combo being the most prevelant).  You could investigate those.  

                  Good luck – it's a tough road, but hang in there.  

                  -Justin

                    JuTMSY4
                    Participant

                      I should add that side effects =/= results.  You can have mild side effects with great results or terrible side effects with limited results/growth and the time to show results, if any, can be quick or slow.  All those issues run on their own and seemingly independently (there may be links, no one is sure).  My point is, do not read into it.

                      Also, does your father have other medical conditions which may be a concern?  That may be the reason for trepidation in use of Pembro – I don't know the answer this is.  

                      JuTMSY4
                      Participant

                        I should add that side effects =/= results.  You can have mild side effects with great results or terrible side effects with limited results/growth and the time to show results, if any, can be quick or slow.  All those issues run on their own and seemingly independently (there may be links, no one is sure).  My point is, do not read into it.

                        Also, does your father have other medical conditions which may be a concern?  That may be the reason for trepidation in use of Pembro – I don't know the answer this is.  

                        Sheryljane
                        Participant

                          I just had my fourth keytruda infusion

                          will be having a scan in two weeks

                          obvious tumors have been shrinking

                          optomistic that lung spleen etc will be effected in the same way

                          please pray

                          think they generally expect results after 4 treatments

                          Sheryljane
                          Participant

                            I just had my fourth keytruda infusion

                            will be having a scan in two weeks

                            obvious tumors have been shrinking

                            optomistic that lung spleen etc will be effected in the same way

                            please pray

                            think they generally expect results after 4 treatments

                            Sheryljane
                            Participant

                              I just had my fourth keytruda infusion

                              will be having a scan in two weeks

                              obvious tumors have been shrinking

                              optomistic that lung spleen etc will be effected in the same way

                              please pray

                              think they generally expect results after 4 treatments

                              JuTMSY4
                              Participant

                                I should add that side effects =/= results.  You can have mild side effects with great results or terrible side effects with limited results/growth and the time to show results, if any, can be quick or slow.  All those issues run on their own and seemingly independently (there may be links, no one is sure).  My point is, do not read into it.

                                Also, does your father have other medical conditions which may be a concern?  That may be the reason for trepidation in use of Pembro – I don't know the answer this is.  

                              JuTMSY4
                              Participant

                                Hi

                                I took ipi and then pembro (back when pembro was just approved, but you had to fail ipi first).  Are you located in the US.  If you're not, I am not familiar with the guidelines, etc.  

                                If you are, are you sure its one dose?  Pembro is given once every 3 weeks or so, I believe (that's my course).  It also may have immediate results (some respond very quick) and it can also cause immediate/severe side effects.  On the other end of the spectrum, it can have mild to no side effects and take several doses/time to show any results.  In between can be growth, stability, reduction and then growth and/or growth/inflammation and reduction after.  

                                I would confirm that course of treatment first and perhaps you are misreading 1 "dose" as one 3 month course (or similar).  Also, there are clinical trials in the US combining Pembro and/or Nivo with other drugs including Ipi (the Nivo/ipi combo being the most prevelant).  You could investigate those.  

                                Good luck – it's a tough road, but hang in there.  

                                -Justin

                                kylez
                                Participant

                                  There are some PD1 and PD1/IPI clinical trials that are specifically for people with brain mets. And a few other drugs as well. I know that with any clincial trial, location may be an issue, and the exclusion criteria can sometimes be difficult. 

                                  Try this search on clinicaltrials.gov, disease = melanoma, country = USA (if you're US-based), search word = brain, open studies. That search embedded in a link is, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=brain&recr=Open&rslt=&type=&cond=melanoma&intr=&titles=&outc=&spons=&lead=&id=&state1=&cntry1=NA%3AUS&state2=&cntry2=&state3=&cntry3=&locn=&gndr=&rcv_s=&rcv_e=&lup_s=&lup_e=

                                  – Kyle

                                  kylez
                                  Participant

                                    There are some PD1 and PD1/IPI clinical trials that are specifically for people with brain mets. And a few other drugs as well. I know that with any clincial trial, location may be an issue, and the exclusion criteria can sometimes be difficult. 

                                    Try this search on clinicaltrials.gov, disease = melanoma, country = USA (if you're US-based), search word = brain, open studies. That search embedded in a link is, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=brain&recr=Open&rslt=&type=&cond=melanoma&intr=&titles=&outc=&spons=&lead=&id=&state1=&cntry1=NA%3AUS&state2=&cntry2=&state3=&cntry3=&locn=&gndr=&rcv_s=&rcv_e=&lup_s=&lup_e=

                                    – Kyle

                                      gcooperbl
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks all

                                        luckily we got it wrong….blood y doctors – it's one dose which is three cycles per dose….didn't explain it well to us. He has had his first cycle and no side effects which is good!

                                         

                                        he gets next cycle in a few weeks…just hope it works 

                                         

                                        fingers crossed

                                         

                                         

                                        gcooperbl
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks all

                                          luckily we got it wrong….blood y doctors – it's one dose which is three cycles per dose….didn't explain it well to us. He has had his first cycle and no side effects which is good!

                                           

                                          he gets next cycle in a few weeks…just hope it works 

                                           

                                          fingers crossed

                                           

                                           

                                          gcooperbl
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks all

                                            luckily we got it wrong….blood y doctors – it's one dose which is three cycles per dose….didn't explain it well to us. He has had his first cycle and no side effects which is good!

                                             

                                            he gets next cycle in a few weeks…just hope it works 

                                             

                                            fingers crossed

                                             

                                             

                                          kylez
                                          Participant

                                            There are some PD1 and PD1/IPI clinical trials that are specifically for people with brain mets. And a few other drugs as well. I know that with any clincial trial, location may be an issue, and the exclusion criteria can sometimes be difficult. 

                                            Try this search on clinicaltrials.gov, disease = melanoma, country = USA (if you're US-based), search word = brain, open studies. That search embedded in a link is, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=brain&recr=Open&rslt=&type=&cond=melanoma&intr=&titles=&outc=&spons=&lead=&id=&state1=&cntry1=NA%3AUS&state2=&cntry2=&state3=&cntry3=&locn=&gndr=&rcv_s=&rcv_e=&lup_s=&lup_e=

                                            – Kyle

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