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.
Anyone been on Keytruda for PCa? - Advanced Prostate...
Anyone been on Keytruda for PCa?
![Bdale profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/71fd3f14-b434-4ed9-8790-301d50071ab9_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![Bdale profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/71fd3f14-b434-4ed9-8790-301d50071ab9_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
It's not very effective usually, unless you have certain biomarkers.
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.
Since Provenge is only 3 sessions my MO doesn't believe a central line is prudent. Too many risks
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.
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.
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.
Thanks for your reply, I hope the next treatment will be better.
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.
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
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
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
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.