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Started Clinical Trial this last Monday Dabrafenib plus IPI

Forums General Melanoma Community Started Clinical Trial this last Monday Dabrafenib plus IPI

  • Post
    cpeters2498
    Participant

      Had mole removed 2 years ago positive for Melanoma, had Melanoma surgury and lymph node biopsy with all clear.   Took a year of Peglated Interferson just in case, and all PET scans as late as late September came back clean.   Thought I would never have to deal with this again.

      Had chest pains first week in January and CT scan showed Stage IV melanoma in both lungs and liver.

      Wow one day you think you are cancer free and next day you find it has taken off.

      Now working with Dr Linette at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, I think he is one of the best anywhere.

      I am part of a Phase 1 Clinical Trial which started Monday of this week, I think there are 12 in the US.  

      Combination of Dabrafenib and Ipilimumab.

      I can't believe it would make a difference this quickly but have not had the pains in my chest and upper stomach area I have been dealing with in the last 30 days.  It has only been 5 doses but I feel better than I have in a month.

      I need this to work….I'm 53 and lots to do yet.

      Charlie

       

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    • Replies
        cpeters2498
        Participant

          Forgot to add.

          My first IPI will be in 15 days then every 3 weeks for 4 treatments.  I will stay on the Dabrafenib during all of this and as long as it continues to work.

           

           

          cpeters2498
          Participant

            Forgot to add.

            My first IPI will be in 15 days then every 3 weeks for 4 treatments.  I will stay on the Dabrafenib during all of this and as long as it continues to work.

             

             

            cpeters2498
            Participant

              Forgot to add.

              My first IPI will be in 15 days then every 3 weeks for 4 treatments.  I will stay on the Dabrafenib during all of this and as long as it continues to work.

               

               

                cpeters2498
                Participant

                  So to give you an update.

                  Before any treatment started I was having alot of pain in my chest around my lungs and below my rib cage to the point of taking quite a bit of Vicadon durng the day.   In less than a month my LDH level went from normal (under 200) and had skyrocketed to above 900!

                  I started Dabrafenib on Feb 17th.  

                  Almost immediately after taking Dabraf every single day the pain got less to almost non existant.  And my lab work showed my LDH level back under 200 in less than 15 days.  So I have had a very positive response to this drug.  I have had a few fevers and, night sweats and I can tell I have some skin bumps in areas but nothing major.  I can't believe how fast thies pills seem to work. 

                  On Monday of this week, March 3 and day 15 from starting the Dabraf, I took my first Ipi treatment.  So far I have fever spikes about 4 or 5 times a day, of course it has only been 4 days.   Tylonol seems to bring it back down quickly.

                  I will have my second IPI in 3 weeks and I think a scan in 4.

                  So far so good.

                  Charlie

                   

                   

                   

                  cpeters2498
                  Participant

                    So to give you an update.

                    Before any treatment started I was having alot of pain in my chest around my lungs and below my rib cage to the point of taking quite a bit of Vicadon durng the day.   In less than a month my LDH level went from normal (under 200) and had skyrocketed to above 900!

                    I started Dabrafenib on Feb 17th.  

                    Almost immediately after taking Dabraf every single day the pain got less to almost non existant.  And my lab work showed my LDH level back under 200 in less than 15 days.  So I have had a very positive response to this drug.  I have had a few fevers and, night sweats and I can tell I have some skin bumps in areas but nothing major.  I can't believe how fast thies pills seem to work. 

                    On Monday of this week, March 3 and day 15 from starting the Dabraf, I took my first Ipi treatment.  So far I have fever spikes about 4 or 5 times a day, of course it has only been 4 days.   Tylonol seems to bring it back down quickly.

                    I will have my second IPI in 3 weeks and I think a scan in 4.

                    So far so good.

                    Charlie

                     

                     

                     

                    cpeters2498
                    Participant

                      So to give you an update.

                      Before any treatment started I was having alot of pain in my chest around my lungs and below my rib cage to the point of taking quite a bit of Vicadon durng the day.   In less than a month my LDH level went from normal (under 200) and had skyrocketed to above 900!

                      I started Dabrafenib on Feb 17th.  

                      Almost immediately after taking Dabraf every single day the pain got less to almost non existant.  And my lab work showed my LDH level back under 200 in less than 15 days.  So I have had a very positive response to this drug.  I have had a few fevers and, night sweats and I can tell I have some skin bumps in areas but nothing major.  I can't believe how fast thies pills seem to work. 

                      On Monday of this week, March 3 and day 15 from starting the Dabraf, I took my first Ipi treatment.  So far I have fever spikes about 4 or 5 times a day, of course it has only been 4 days.   Tylonol seems to bring it back down quickly.

                      I will have my second IPI in 3 weeks and I think a scan in 4.

                      So far so good.

                      Charlie

                       

                       

                       

                    POW
                    Participant

                      When Zelboraf and then Yervoy were first introduced about 2 years ago, they immediately did a clinical trial combining them. Although the initial results were promising, the trial had to be terminated early because of too many severe side effects, especially liver damage. (All of the side effects were reversible). 

                      Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) is known to have fewer side effects than does vemurafenib (Zelboraf). So this combo may actually work really well! Good luck to you and please do keep us posted. 

                      POW
                      Participant

                        When Zelboraf and then Yervoy were first introduced about 2 years ago, they immediately did a clinical trial combining them. Although the initial results were promising, the trial had to be terminated early because of too many severe side effects, especially liver damage. (All of the side effects were reversible). 

                        Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) is known to have fewer side effects than does vemurafenib (Zelboraf). So this combo may actually work really well! Good luck to you and please do keep us posted. 

                        POW
                        Participant

                          When Zelboraf and then Yervoy were first introduced about 2 years ago, they immediately did a clinical trial combining them. Although the initial results were promising, the trial had to be terminated early because of too many severe side effects, especially liver damage. (All of the side effects were reversible). 

                          Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) is known to have fewer side effects than does vemurafenib (Zelboraf). So this combo may actually work really well! Good luck to you and please do keep us posted. 

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