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Yervoy vs Anti PD – 1

Forums General Melanoma Community Yervoy vs Anti PD – 1

  • Post
    Chris123
    Participant

       Recently a tumor has been found on my husband’s Iliac (pelvis bone) for which the biopsy results determined to be Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma.  For treatment, he was provided the following two options by two different oncologists:

      Option A:  Start with Radiation Therapy to reduce the size of the tumor in conjunction with Yervoy Treatments.  In the event this plan is not effective, proceed with the Merck Anti PD – 1 Clinical Trial.

       Recently a tumor has been found on my husband’s Iliac (pelvis bone) for which the biopsy results determined to be Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma.  For treatment, he was provided the following two options by two different oncologists:

      Option A:  Start with Radiation Therapy to reduce the size of the tumor in conjunction with Yervoy Treatments.  In the event this plan is not effective, proceed with the Merck Anti PD – 1 Clinical Trial.

      Option A was suggested to initially provide for a reduction in the size of the tumor, therefore, reducing the pain and the risk of bone, muscle and or nerve damage as well as the fact that Yervoy has been proven to be effective.

      Option B:  Start with the BMS Anti PD – 1 Clinical Trial and reserve Yervoy Treatments in conjunction with Radiation Therapy as a back-up plan.

      Option B was suggested because it is providing interesting results and there is always a possibility that the clinical trial may close for which Anti PD-1 would no longer be available.

      Please, your advice, input and or prior experiences with Yervoy vs Anti PD -1 would be truly appreciated.

      THANK YOU! 

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    • Replies
        LynnLuc
        Participant

          I am partial to BMS's anti PD-1  (Nivolumab) because I completed 30 month trial using it and have remained NED for 3 years 4 months…they say the combination of the anti pd 1 and Yervoy is the best trial out there…here is an article from ASCO 2013  http://am.asco.org/concurrent-nivolumab-ipilimumab-induced-rapid-deep-durable-responses-advanced-melanoma   Lynn

          LynnLuc
          Participant

            I am partial to BMS's anti PD-1  (Nivolumab) because I completed 30 month trial using it and have remained NED for 3 years 4 months…they say the combination of the anti pd 1 and Yervoy is the best trial out there…here is an article from ASCO 2013  http://am.asco.org/concurrent-nivolumab-ipilimumab-induced-rapid-deep-durable-responses-advanced-melanoma   Lynn

            LynnLuc
            Participant

              I am partial to BMS's anti PD-1  (Nivolumab) because I completed 30 month trial using it and have remained NED for 3 years 4 months…they say the combination of the anti pd 1 and Yervoy is the best trial out there…here is an article from ASCO 2013  http://am.asco.org/concurrent-nivolumab-ipilimumab-induced-rapid-deep-durable-responses-advanced-melanoma   Lynn

              POW
              Participant

                Both of those options sound quite promising and either would be a good choice. Anti-PD1 seems to work in more people than does Yervoy (though it doesn't work for everyone) and the side effects seem fewer. And as Lynn said, the combination of anti-PD1 and ipi shows promise of being better than either one along.

                It is often difficult to get into an anti-PD1 trial. So if your husband qualifies for one now, that would be a good choice. Later on, circumstances may be such that  he just can't get into a trial when he wants to. Since Yervoy is already FDA approved, if he progresses on anti-PD1 he can always switch over to Yervoy. But if he starts with Yervoy and progresses, there may not be any PD-1 trials available at that time.

                My main hesitation about a PD-1 trial would be the pain that your husband is currently experiencing. It would be good to stop that if you possibly can. Can he have radiation and still get into an anti-PD1 trial? Different trials probably have different criteria so you will have to check into that. 

                I know that this decision isn't easy, but both choices are viable options. When you get a chance, please complete a profile for your husband so we will be able to refer to it in the future and give you the best advice we possibly can. What did his original pathology report say? Has he been tested for the BRAF mutation? Are you going to a melanoma Center of Excellence? Things like that. 

                POW
                Participant

                  Both of those options sound quite promising and either would be a good choice. Anti-PD1 seems to work in more people than does Yervoy (though it doesn't work for everyone) and the side effects seem fewer. And as Lynn said, the combination of anti-PD1 and ipi shows promise of being better than either one along.

                  It is often difficult to get into an anti-PD1 trial. So if your husband qualifies for one now, that would be a good choice. Later on, circumstances may be such that  he just can't get into a trial when he wants to. Since Yervoy is already FDA approved, if he progresses on anti-PD1 he can always switch over to Yervoy. But if he starts with Yervoy and progresses, there may not be any PD-1 trials available at that time.

                  My main hesitation about a PD-1 trial would be the pain that your husband is currently experiencing. It would be good to stop that if you possibly can. Can he have radiation and still get into an anti-PD1 trial? Different trials probably have different criteria so you will have to check into that. 

                  I know that this decision isn't easy, but both choices are viable options. When you get a chance, please complete a profile for your husband so we will be able to refer to it in the future and give you the best advice we possibly can. What did his original pathology report say? Has he been tested for the BRAF mutation? Are you going to a melanoma Center of Excellence? Things like that. 

                  POW
                  Participant

                    Both of those options sound quite promising and either would be a good choice. Anti-PD1 seems to work in more people than does Yervoy (though it doesn't work for everyone) and the side effects seem fewer. And as Lynn said, the combination of anti-PD1 and ipi shows promise of being better than either one along.

                    It is often difficult to get into an anti-PD1 trial. So if your husband qualifies for one now, that would be a good choice. Later on, circumstances may be such that  he just can't get into a trial when he wants to. Since Yervoy is already FDA approved, if he progresses on anti-PD1 he can always switch over to Yervoy. But if he starts with Yervoy and progresses, there may not be any PD-1 trials available at that time.

                    My main hesitation about a PD-1 trial would be the pain that your husband is currently experiencing. It would be good to stop that if you possibly can. Can he have radiation and still get into an anti-PD1 trial? Different trials probably have different criteria so you will have to check into that. 

                    I know that this decision isn't easy, but both choices are viable options. When you get a chance, please complete a profile for your husband so we will be able to refer to it in the future and give you the best advice we possibly can. What did his original pathology report say? Has he been tested for the BRAF mutation? Are you going to a melanoma Center of Excellence? Things like that. 

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