6 ms·
As a person who currently has stage IV NSCLC, I can add some context to this: YMMV. One thing to remember is that "Lung Cancer" is not just one thing. There a
by borbulon 4y ago
As a person who currently has stage IV NSCLC, I can add some context to this:
YMMV.
One thing to remember is that "Lung Cancer" is not just one thing. There are mutations of different genes, there are overexpressions of different genes. Each one has its own new medicines. Also, some peoples' cancers are more aggressive than others, and while for many they can find the right drug, for some nothing works.
Keytruda works wonders for some. It did not for me. I had 4 treatments of the CPP (carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab) triad, which had some success. They then put you on "maintenance," which is the PP without the carboplatin (which is the really old school platinum-based chemo). Maintenance did nothing for me. My main tumor grew more than 50% in 2 months.
Last summer I started 9 months on a chemo/immuno that was geared towards my specific mutation. It actually did wonders. It resulted in a 98% shrinkage of my main tumor before I ended up with pneumonitis from it and had to stop. But I've been able to be off treatment for the entire summer. I know there are others who have tried this, and it didn't work.
So yeah, I'm really, really glad your relative was able to get some relief from the Keytruda. But I also wish it were the wonder cure for everyone that it was for them.
- mromanuk 4y agoWhat are your thoughts on Dr. Seyfried and cancer as a metabolic disease?
- tomcam 4y agoShit. My best to you and yours. Thanks for sharing.
- nyx 4y agoThanks for sharing your story and treatment details. I should add that my relative's cancer has no particularly interesting mutations, but does have a high PD-L1 expression, which from what I can tell is the reason Keytruda was more likely to work for their situation. > that was geared towards my specific mutation This is actually one of the things that gives me hope for the future: genetic testing on a tissue sample of the patient's cancer is standard, and for many of the specific oncogenes that we know about, there exist therapies targeted to those specific mutations: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/targeted-therapies.html https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/treating-non-small... One thing I've learned is that even in the face of good news, cancer is a horrible time, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But I'm likewise glad to hear about your results from the latest treatment, and hope things stay as positive as they can for you.
- ghjnut 4y agoI was diagnosed with stage III NSCLC February '21. Radiation, chemo, and a bilobectomy. I had the ALK+ morphology which meant I wasn't a candidate for immunotherapy but I've been on alectinib since my surgery in June '21 with no signs of recurrence so far. The process is grueling in hindsight, but I'm glad to hear you're getting results. At first I would have said "if this is going to kill me, make it sooner rather than later" to avoid a drawn-out painful experience, but I'm starting to appreciate what the buying time really means. It's hard with all that's going on but get your head straight and make sure you enjoy it. Keep on keeping on.
- adamredwoods 4y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotorasib https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sotorasib ? I am hopeful we can move metastatic cancer (which is the true evil of cancer) to a controlled chronic condition. BTW-- our oncology doctor believes in synergies between chemo and pembro, but I sometimes wonder if it's truly the chemo. Also, Pembro is not without its side-effects.