Zelboraf then IPI then Taf/Mek – question?

Arthur, a few notes (and, of course, I'm not a doctor):

1.  Taf/Mek act differently than ipi.  There is a school of thought that if the Taf/Mek are working (killing tumors, which throws off antigens or whatever), it gives something for your ipi-treated immune system to better aim at.  Of course, no one really knows since trials combining these 3 meds have just recently started.  (And, the Tak/Mek need to "work" for the particular patient for this theory to hold.)

2.  I've seen Catherine Poole at Melanoma International Foundation (a reliable source) report that there are (currently) no PD-1 trials for ipi refractory patients (those who have used ipi).  Hopefully your doctor is right, or maybe newer ones are opening?  To the extent you need to move to a trial, you should consider contacting her.

Arthur, a few notes (and, of course, I'm not a doctor):

1.  Taf/Mek act differently than ipi.  There is a school of thought that if the Taf/Mek are working (killing tumors, which throws off antigens or whatever), it gives something for your ipi-treated immune system to better aim at.  Of course, no one really knows since trials combining these 3 meds have just recently started.  (And, the Tak/Mek need to "work" for the particular patient for this theory to hold.)

2.  I've seen Catherine Poole at Melanoma International Foundation (a reliable source) report that there are (currently) no PD-1 trials for ipi refractory patients (those who have used ipi).  Hopefully your doctor is right, or maybe newer ones are opening?  To the extent you need to move to a trial, you should consider contacting her.

Arthur, a few notes (and, of course, I'm not a doctor):

1.  Taf/Mek act differently than ipi.  There is a school of thought that if the Taf/Mek are working (killing tumors, which throws off antigens or whatever), it gives something for your ipi-treated immune system to better aim at.  Of course, no one really knows since trials combining these 3 meds have just recently started.  (And, the Tak/Mek need to "work" for the particular patient for this theory to hold.)

2.  I've seen Catherine Poole at Melanoma International Foundation (a reliable source) report that there are (currently) no PD-1 trials for ipi refractory patients (those who have used ipi).  Hopefully your doctor is right, or maybe newer ones are opening?  To the extent you need to move to a trial, you should consider contacting her.

My husband started on that path after 14 mos on Zel..   2 IPI infusions and it was just too slow acting for aggressiveness of his brain mets. So, started Tafinlar/Mekenist begining of Nov, so far so good. In the meantime my husbands onc sent us to Mayo Clinic for options.. etc. The melanoma specialist there said once this Tafinlar/Mek combo shrinks and/or stabilizes tumors to ADD IPI to treatment plan…   "load him up with ammo" were his words. Says can be a hard sell to insurance, but said my husband is high risk and with doctors letters.. etc..  it usually works. He said he will get the miles from IPI.

Praying you get GREAT results on those scans!

My husband started on that path after 14 mos on Zel..   2 IPI infusions and it was just too slow acting for aggressiveness of his brain mets. So, started Tafinlar/Mekenist begining of Nov, so far so good. In the meantime my husbands onc sent us to Mayo Clinic for options.. etc. The melanoma specialist there said once this Tafinlar/Mek combo shrinks and/or stabilizes tumors to ADD IPI to treatment plan…   "load him up with ammo" were his words. Says can be a hard sell to insurance, but said my husband is high risk and with doctors letters.. etc..  it usually works. He said he will get the miles from IPI.

Praying you get GREAT results on those scans!

My husband started on that path after 14 mos on Zel..   2 IPI infusions and it was just too slow acting for aggressiveness of his brain mets. So, started Tafinlar/Mekenist begining of Nov, so far so good. In the meantime my husbands onc sent us to Mayo Clinic for options.. etc. The melanoma specialist there said once this Tafinlar/Mek combo shrinks and/or stabilizes tumors to ADD IPI to treatment plan…   "load him up with ammo" were his words. Says can be a hard sell to insurance, but said my husband is high risk and with doctors letters.. etc..  it usually works. He said he will get the miles from IPI.

Praying you get GREAT results on those scans!

Hi Arthur-

My husband has been on the same treatment as you.  Zelboraf did work for him though.  Both our oncologist told us that because he has already become tolerant to Z it would probably only give him 1-2 months of good treatment.  We just signed up for a trial at The Angeles Clinic in Los Angeles that is a new drug MSB0010455 or something similiar plus stereotactic body radiation.  We looked all over for PD-1 or PDL1 trials with no luck.   It might be something worth looking into?  It is for people that have already done ipi.  We are seeing Dr. Hamid and he has been awesome!  Best of luck to all of us!

Hi Arthur-

My husband has been on the same treatment as you.  Zelboraf did work for him though.  Both our oncologist told us that because he has already become tolerant to Z it would probably only give him 1-2 months of good treatment.  We just signed up for a trial at The Angeles Clinic in Los Angeles that is a new drug MSB0010455 or something similiar plus stereotactic body radiation.  We looked all over for PD-1 or PDL1 trials with no luck.   It might be something worth looking into?  It is for people that have already done ipi.  We are seeing Dr. Hamid and he has been awesome!  Best of luck to all of us!

Hi Arthur-

My husband has been on the same treatment as you.  Zelboraf did work for him though.  Both our oncologist told us that because he has already become tolerant to Z it would probably only give him 1-2 months of good treatment.  We just signed up for a trial at The Angeles Clinic in Los Angeles that is a new drug MSB0010455 or something similiar plus stereotactic body radiation.  We looked all over for PD-1 or PDL1 trials with no luck.   It might be something worth looking into?  It is for people that have already done ipi.  We are seeing Dr. Hamid and he has been awesome!  Best of luck to all of us!

I was told in December that If I wanted to get in a PD-1 trial I would have to stope my current treatment that hs kept me staable for 5 years, try nd fil  Ipi  so that I would meet the PD-1 trial criteria to get the PD-1.  (NOPE, won't consider doing that.)

I was told in December that If I wanted to get in a PD-1 trial I would have to stope my current treatment that hs kept me staable for 5 years, try nd fil  Ipi  so that I would meet the PD-1 trial criteria to get the PD-1.  (NOPE, won't consider doing that.)

I was told in December that If I wanted to get in a PD-1 trial I would have to stope my current treatment that hs kept me staable for 5 years, try nd fil  Ipi  so that I would meet the PD-1 trial criteria to get the PD-1.  (NOPE, won't consider doing that.)