Who has been on Xofigo? What were side effects and outcome?

[sjpoli46]

Saw my onc yesterday and he would like me to start Xofigo. I'm currently taking Xtandi and I've had an Orchiectomy so no other drugs. When my PSA reached 123 I went on Xtandi which knocked it down to 6 but then 3 mos later it was 12 then 22 and now is 25. I should also mention I'm BRCA2.

[Tall_Allen]

There's an ongoing clinical trial combining Xofigo, Xtandi and a bone preserving agent. Hopefully, the bone-preserving agent will prevent the deleterious effects seen when Xofigo was combined with Zytiga. Have you discussed a PARP inhibitor trial with your oncologist? It seems to work pretty well in men with BRCA2 mutations.

[sjpoli46 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Yes, my onc from UCLA is trying to get me on the trial they have which combines PARP inhibitor olaparib with Keytruda. I would only go on Xofigo if I can't get on the trial along with the Xtandi (presently on) and Xgeva.

[podsart in reply to sjpoli46]

Why can’t you get the PARP inhibitor without a clinical trial?

[abmicro]

I had no side effects because my stupid oncologist had me do this too early. He quit. Good riddens.

Make sure you have done the scans to show cancer in your bones before doing the treatment, otherwise use other treatments first. This treatment will not hit soft tissue tumors at all. Medicare only pays for it once, so use it wisely.

[Prostratehelp]

Can’t tell you my results yet. Have had 4 out of the 6 infusions of Xofigo. Only side effects have been bouts of diarrhea for several days after the infusion. Controlled with over the counter medication. Other side effect has been extreme fatigue. They advised me that both these side effects are normal. Some days are much better than other with the fatigue. Only other medications I am on are monthly injections xgeva and eligard. Some month months I get a B12 shot.

Good luck,

[Magnus1964]

Keep us updated on your status. I will be starting Zofigo in April. I am currently on xtandi and xgeva. No trial.

[Scoofer33]

In August of 2016 I completed 6 of 6 treatments with Xofigo (Radium 223 dichloride). Being chemo naive, I tolerated treatment much better than the other men whose prior experience with chemotherapy left their immune systems too compromised to endure all six treatments (if bloodwork shows white blood cell count is too low they could kill you if they gave you the injection, so they wait a few weeks to see if your count is sufficient to resume treatment). I was taking pain meds which tended to give me constipation, so that counteracted any diarrhea issues. I was used to experiencing fatigue and hot flashes from hormone therapy, so side effects from Xofigo were negligible. Treatment was no big deal. They would Install a line to give me a bag of saline intravenously. When they were finished pushing that into my system, they would inject the medicine into the tubing and push another bag of saline into my system. As soon as my blood pressure decreased to an acceptable level, I was free to go.! I found the science behind this medicine absolutely fascinating. I stand in wonder at the doctors and scientists who are blessed with minds to think of such novel ways to do battle with this disease!

SPECIAL SHOUTOUT: Cancer Treatment Centers of America negotiated with Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., who generously donated the medicine! Thank you, so much!