Leukine

[Rexwaterbury]

Has anyone here been treated with Leukine? If so, under what condition was it prescribed, what were the results, and what were the side effects?

Thanks in advance.

[tarhoosier]

Yes. As a method of tumor growth arrest and also to counteract the negative effect on the immune system from radiation, for me. Side effects were of two types: local, or the injection site, and systemic. The local reaction was occasional redness, swelling, itchiness at the injection site for a day or two after an injection. This happened occasionally and followed no pattern I could determine. Mild discomfort if the site was near waist where pants and undies fit. Systemic reaction was only at first induction. This was generally swelling on the body, like hives, with particular issues on scalp and hands which itched maddeningly which could last for 2-3 days. Sleep was disturbed thereby. This is counteracted by benedryl or generic equivalent. I recommend benedryl before starting and then taper after a few days.

PSA results were not noticeable to me. My oncologist measures immune cells, CD 4 CD 8, NK and T-cells and others and the response was, to me, small. My doctor says he is satisfied with the result. Effect on psa was negligible when Leukine was the only drug used. It is now part of a larger group to sustain growth arrest so no way to determine individual interaction.

[Rexwaterbury in reply to tarhoosier]

Thanks so much. I'm assuming that you see Snuffy? How long did you take Leukine?

[paulofaus]

I had it for 30 days, after cryotherapy. For me it was to boost white blood cells and stimulate immune system. I also had red itchiness on the injection sites which subsided after a few days. The only other side affect was a rather large bruise which came up on my forearm, but I don't remember getting an injury there, so it may have been from resting my arm on my desk.

[tarhoosier]

once per day, two weeks on, two off, then 2 on 4 off then 2 on 6 off. Now 2 on 2 off until he says different.

[dave2]

I've been on Leukine (500 mcg -14 days on/14 days off) for the past 2.5 years. Began when PSA reached 0.4 (PSADT = 3 months); the Leukine appears to have caused lowering of PSA to a stable range of 0.1-0.2. In Nov 2015 I added ADT while remaining on Leukine (for synergy), which caused PSA to fall to undetectable.

My impression is that Leukine tends to have more impact with small volume disease; in the past Myers has combined it with ketoconazole to help some with CRPC.

I haven't had any side effect symptoms, although it appears to have lowered serum protein/albumin. Possible mechanism: elevation of neutrophils increases cytokine signaling; liver responds with negative acute-phase reaction, thus lowering albumin & total protein.

[Edrd]

Now that Snuffy has retired, does any one out there have or know of a Doc that is presribing Leukine.

Snuffy prescribed it for me and it cleared up a mess of "highly suspious" lymph nodes and gave me a break from a five year stretch of Lupron.

[Rexwaterbury]

Dr Drake has continued the Leukine that Snuffy prescribed.

[abmicro]

I did Leukine, 2 injections per day 250mcg combined with Ketoconozale and 9 estradiol patches 0.1 as prescribed by Dr Charles Myers (who is now retired). I had very resistant PC and single therapies did nothing. After accomplishing a rapid drop to PSA 0.1, I cut back my doses. The combination therapy gave me one of the longest remissions ever. My bone density got better as a plus. My mind felt clear, and my side effects were minimal.

If thinking about Leukine, Keto and patches, take a blood thinner because of the estrodiol patches. Take a statin to prevent excessive blood fats. Maintain a low fat diet. Exercise.

Estradiol is a female hormone that gives you emotional ups and downs. Also causes a sudden new interest in creative activity. I started ballroom dancing and got very good, competitions, lessons, events. When I cut my patches to just a single half patch, I lost all my creativity and most of my drive to get better at dancing.

There are combination immune therapies that may be available in clinical trials. Check that first at the big cancer universities. My treatment was street, outside of a trial. It worked. I was happy, but it disqualified me from future trials.

[Seebs9 in reply to abmicro]

Yeah, side effects...Like me starting Panacur C the dog dewormer, and wanting to scoot my but on the carpet.