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Tafinlar/Mekinist + Keytruda Concurrently?
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Tafinlar/Mekinist + Keytruda Concurrently?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Tafinlar/Mekinist + Keytruda Concurrently?

  • Post
    • April 25, 2017 at 6:42 am
    sgreenberg
    Participant

      Hi,

      After 6+ months of progression-free treatment with Tafinlar/Mekinist, my wife's melanoma brain mets started multiplying and her onco moved her to Keytruda. 

      However, the onco also left her on Tafinlar/Mekinist concurrent with the Keytruda – since we had leftover stock of the drugs (our insurer won't cover both).

      Now, we're almost out of Tafinlar/Mekinist, and the Keytruda seems to be working.

      I'm debating whether to seek out another source of Tafinalr/Mekinist (perhaps go to war with the insurer), or just take her off it altogether. I've found very little info online about the benefits of this combo.

      Does anyone have experience with using Tafinalr/Mekinist + Keytruda concurrently, or encountered research supporting it?

      Many thanks,

      Steven

       

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    • Replies
        • April 25, 2017 at 2:54 pm
        Jules
        Participant

          Steven,

          Looks like this triplet is being studied in a few clinical trials. Below is the info on tafinlar/Mekinist and Keytruda, while unfortunately it looks like your wife would be excluded from the trial itself because of prior systemic therapy, she may be able to get compassionate use. 

          https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02130466?term=Dabrafenib&rank=59

          good luck! I am sorry that with everything you both have to deal with you'll have to deal with obstacles with insurance too.

            • April 26, 2017 at 5:30 am
            sgreenberg
            Participant

              Good stuff. Many thanks!

            • April 26, 2017 at 1:34 am
            Bubbles
            Participant

              Hang in there, here's the best data I have of late:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-whole-she-bang-immunotherapy-with.html  

              wishing you my best, celeste

                • April 26, 2017 at 5:30 am
                sgreenberg
                Participant

                  Many thanks, and best to you, too.

                • April 26, 2017 at 1:32 pm
                marta010
                Participant

                  Hi Steven – my husband has been on Tafinlar (single agent, couldn't tolerate MEK) for nearly 3 1/2 years.  Went almost 2 1/2 years without progression except for a new brain met.  After progression last Spring, he concurrently was on Tafinlar and Keytruda for 6 infusions.  He discontinued Keytruda after another brain edema episode and has only been on Tafinlar again since last September.  Last scans in Feb finally showed a positive response with a reduction in tumor activity and stability in his brain.  We are waiting until his next scans in May to decide next steps.  If things continue in the right direction, we may discontinue or reduce the Tafinlar as it is causing significant joint/muscle pain and resume Keytruda maintenance infusions on a less frequent schedule.  I don't have any specific research to point to but his oncology team at Mayo and U of M both felt the continuance of Tafinlar was a good line of second defense with the Keytruda.

                  Ann

                    • April 27, 2017 at 5:37 am
                    sgreenberg
                    Participant

                      Hi Ann –

                      Thanks for the info, and I'm glad your husband is doing well. It seems like there's not really a set protocol for the combo of these treatments, eh? More according to the instinct of the onco. We're waiting to see what my wife's doc recommends.

                      In the meantime, the Keytruda (or Keytruda/Taf/Mek combo, who knows) seems to have arrested progression. Next RMI mid-May. Re. the joint pain – my wife got this from Keytruda, actually. 

                      Anyhow, I'll touch base down the road. Best wishes.

                      Steven

                       

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