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Stage IV–Need suggestions for further treatment

Forums General Melanoma Community Stage IV–Need suggestions for further treatment

  • Post
    kerstinmagnuson
    Participant

      My dad has stage IV melanoma with involvement in the brain, liver, and lungs. In Nov. 2011, he received the first diagnosis of melanoma from a node in his belly button. It hadn't spread at that point, but a scan in the summer of 2012 revealed melanoma in one lymph node. The nodes in that area were all removed, but in September 2012, a scan showed that the cancer had become metastatic and was in his liver, lungs, and brain. At first, he received Ippi treatments, which were ineffective. He then had a chemo cocktail of three agents, one of which was Avastin.

      My dad has stage IV melanoma with involvement in the brain, liver, and lungs. In Nov. 2011, he received the first diagnosis of melanoma from a node in his belly button. It hadn't spread at that point, but a scan in the summer of 2012 revealed melanoma in one lymph node. The nodes in that area were all removed, but in September 2012, a scan showed that the cancer had become metastatic and was in his liver, lungs, and brain. At first, he received Ippi treatments, which were ineffective. He then had a chemo cocktail of three agents, one of which was Avastin. That was only moderately effective. He also had gamma knife surgery and radiation for his brain tumors. In May, he entered an anti PD1 clinical trial, but was just taken out of it after a scan revealed tumor growth in his lungs and brain. He is supposed to start more chemo treatment again, including an oral chemo that is supposedly more effective against brain tumors. Does anyone have any suggestions of some other treatments we could try? We are open to trying anything that might help. Thanks! 

       

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    • Replies
        Johnfdc7
        Participant

          Hi Kerstin

          You dont mention whether your Dad's tumours have been tested for the BRAF mutation yet. I would expect this to have been done by now – if not, you should push to have it done.

          The BRAF drugs that are now approved appear to show some activity with brain mets both anedotally and in limited clinical trials.

          John

          Johnfdc7
          Participant

            Hi Kerstin

            You dont mention whether your Dad's tumours have been tested for the BRAF mutation yet. I would expect this to have been done by now – if not, you should push to have it done.

            The BRAF drugs that are now approved appear to show some activity with brain mets both anedotally and in limited clinical trials.

            John

            Johnfdc7
            Participant

              Hi Kerstin

              You dont mention whether your Dad's tumours have been tested for the BRAF mutation yet. I would expect this to have been done by now – if not, you should push to have it done.

              The BRAF drugs that are now approved appear to show some activity with brain mets both anedotally and in limited clinical trials.

              John

              JerryfromFauq
              Participant

                Is he elgible for ACT/TIL (NIH, MDA, ) ?

                JerryfromFauq
                Participant

                  Is he elgible for ACT/TIL (NIH, MDA, ) ?

                  JerryfromFauq
                  Participant

                    Is he elgible for ACT/TIL (NIH, MDA, ) ?

                    kerstinmagnuson
                    Participant
                      He has been tested and he is BRAF negative. Thanks for the suggestion. We will check it out!
                      Peabody_58
                      Participant

                        Pilot Ipilimumab in Stage IV Melanoma Receiving Palliative Radiation Therapy

                        ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
                        NCT01449279
                         
                        This may be a useful strategy.   I would also look at the PD-1 / Ipi combintation trials – there is one of these at Georgetown (Atkins) but there may be others around the country.
                        There is always adoptive cell therapy (ACT), the subject of much debate here.  It is at least worth a phone call.
                         
                        Peabody_58
                        Participant

                          Pilot Ipilimumab in Stage IV Melanoma Receiving Palliative Radiation Therapy

                          ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
                          NCT01449279
                           
                          This may be a useful strategy.   I would also look at the PD-1 / Ipi combintation trials – there is one of these at Georgetown (Atkins) but there may be others around the country.
                          There is always adoptive cell therapy (ACT), the subject of much debate here.  It is at least worth a phone call.
                           
                          Peabody_58
                          Participant

                            Pilot Ipilimumab in Stage IV Melanoma Receiving Palliative Radiation Therapy

                            ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
                            NCT01449279
                             
                            This may be a useful strategy.   I would also look at the PD-1 / Ipi combintation trials – there is one of these at Georgetown (Atkins) but there may be others around the country.
                            There is always adoptive cell therapy (ACT), the subject of much debate here.  It is at least worth a phone call.
                             
                            kerstinmagnuson
                            Participant
                              He has been tested and he is BRAF negative. Thanks for the suggestion. We will check it out!
                              kerstinmagnuson
                              Participant
                                He has been tested and he is BRAF negative. Thanks for the suggestion. We will check it out!
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