Anyone been on Keytruda for PCa?

[Bdale]

Good folks, Due to my veins not being visible enough for Provenge, my MO is recommending 6 infusions of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) one every other week. Has any of you done this and what was the experience like.

[Tall_Allen]

It's not very effective usually, unless you have certain biomarkers.

[Bdale in reply to Tall_Allen]

I have mismatch repair

[Tall_Allen in reply to Bdale]

Hopefully, it will work for you then.

[CAMPSOUPS]

Is a venous port not considered for you ?I still have mine that was done 2 years ago to make chemo infusions a smoother go.

Still nice to have for blood draws and Zometa infusions.

Nurses especially like it lol.

[Bdale in reply to CAMPSOUPS]

Since Provenge is only 3 sessions my MO doesn't believe a central line is prudent. Too many risks

[addicted2cycling in reply to Bdale]

Bdale wrote bio info --- " ... diagnosed in November of 2018, Gleason 9, PSA 18, ................Now getting ready for 6 sessions of Prembrolizumab starting March 11."

Hoping to not make an improper suggestion/post but IMO a contact to research and possibly make an inquiry with would be Dr.GaryOnik.

My unique GL10 treatment included an in suti Keytruda + 2 others back in 2015, and bicycled 121 miles last Saturday so my age + 50 miles extra.

[Bdale in reply to addicted2cycling]

Thanks addicted2cycling, we have a lot in common. I also am an avid cycler, have completed over 28 triathlons including 7 half Ironmans. But my main hobby nowadays is regatta sailing in little Olympic style sailboats together with other old guys. I'm in West Palm right now preparing for a large event. I actually have decided to go the Keytruda route as I have full faith in my MO at the University of Chicago. My reason for my question was to find others to hear what their experience was like. Be well and good luck at the next Ironman.

[Shooter1 in reply to Bdale]

Trouble with first draw/infusion....double central line catheter and them all smooth sailing with Provenge.

[Jackpine]

I just finished 10 rounds of Keytruda and had good results early but I have now failed and will be changing to Lympreza .

After the 8th round I started having a very sore neck which then moved to all my joints. I was not able to support myself to get out of bed or walk. After 2 weeks of 60mg /day of prednisone I am walking agin and feel fine. The side effects came on sudden and fast.

[Bdale]

Thanks for your reply, I hope the next treatment will be better.

[Hotrod65]

56 infusions of Pembrolizimab over 5 yrs has me in NED status Remission, a Hypermutated Tumor Burden and I'm sc NEPC differenciation as a qualifier.

[Bdale in reply to Hotrod65]

That sounds great, what does NED status mean?

[Hotrod65]

No evidence of Disease for 7 yrs..2 years since treatment ended..I remain on Prednisone for Adrenal Insufficiency brought on by immunotherapy, I have optic nerve damage both eyes, mild but eyesite limits my night driving now, bottom line is I'm still here with a great quality of life, I was told I would not make it 3-6 months for rare form of lethal SC Neuroendocrine differentiation

[Bdale in reply to Hotrod65]

Thanks

[GAdrummer]

My husband completed two years of Keytruda infusions every three weeks (no port) with super responder results and is now without any other PCa meds. He paid a price: a rare side effect - the loss of signaling from pituitary gland to adrenal and thyroid glands, so he has to take hydrocortisone and levothyroxine pills daily for the rest of his life. He is slowly recovering strength and mental acuity from the earlier two years of chemo ( the last treatments before Keytruda).

Good luck

[Bdale in reply to GAdrummer]

Thanks so much for your reply, I wish you and your husband many quality years.

[j-o-h-n]

Used on my Lung Melanoma...... (not caused by my Pca) and it worked.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 02/24/2022 11:34 PM EST

[Bdale in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thanks John

[Vindog29]

My husband received only 2 treatments of keytruda then stopped because liver enzymes elevated but was enough to keep psa undetectable for over 2.5 yrs. Tumors still shrinking...a miracle since nothing else was working. Hope the same for you.

[Bdale in reply to Vindog29]

Wow, that sounds like a miracle, glad it worked for your husband