We saw Dr. Kwon Friday and Jeff does in fact qualify for LU-177.
It’s news we were hoping for, praying for. Although FDA approved, I’m worried when it’ll actually be available and having potential insurance issues.
Also, I’m feeling rather foolish…
Beyond knowing Jeff needed a PSMA PET scan, I never asked for clarification on what he needed to qualify for LU-177.
Evidently one qualifies when the PSMA PET scan is lit up over their entire skeleton.
Dr. Kwon flipped the monitor around so we could view the scan … I felt “small” and stupid. Why was I ever excited or happy that my Jeff would meet the criteria for LU-177?! The cancer is just everywhere.
The good news though is that LU-177 is designed to target and kill the cancer exactly where Jeff has it.
Currently Jeff isn’t on any treatments. Dr. Kwon is hesitant to put him on a PARP inhibitor in interim to LU-177 as the inhibitor can effect the bone marrow and that would impact the effect LU-177 would have.
So we wait.
Dr. Kwon wants to narrow down the timeframe in which Jeff can start LU-177.
If it appears it’s going to be 2-3 months before LU-177, they’ll start Jeff on the PARP inhibitor.
We meet with Dr. Kwon in 2 weeks to reevaluate the situation.
Jeff’s PSA went down from 365 to 275. No one could explain the drop and it was seemingly unimportant at this time. The scans detail where the cancer is and what its doing.
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Pancake_Lefse
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Wonderful news, you are in good hands with Doctor Kwon. I have heard him speak many times at the Los Angeles PCRI conferences. Dr. Kwon is easy to listen to and I like the way he explains things. He is definitely one of my "super heroes". Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic has put a temporary end to air travel for me. Here is a question for Dr. Kwon. Take a look at the Health Unlocked posting by TJ Guy just below yours. The heading is "New Radiotracer Zirconium-89 is better than Gallium-68". Read the article by Dr. Samer Ezzidin a Professor at the Saarland University Hospital in Homburg, Germany. As you know, the Germans have been using Lutetium for much longer than we have in North America. They have a ton of theranostic experience. The article is well written and easy to understand. Dr. Ezzidin is also one of my "super heroes" for all sorts of reasons I won't get into here. So here is my question. Ask Dr. Kwon if he has heard of Zirconium-89 scans, is it on the FDA radar and what does he think of them? I know that I, and possibly many others, would be interested in Kwon's response. Good luck with your Jeff!
I was thinking that since the advent of LU-177 type of treatments // it is not as critical to find exactly where the cancer is -- the LU-177 will find it and attach to it in places we may not be able to see at all... Zirconium-89 scans is exciting --- the new tracer will be very helpful for people at an earlier stage -- where they can find 2 or 3 spots as they appear and HIFU or radiate them -- indefinitely until they are all gone... that may be the future.
If Jeff has that many bone mets, a treatment with a different drug, called 225Ac-J591, could be more effective. You may ask Dr. Kwon, if Jeff could take part in this trial.
My prayers are with the two of you, and thanks for the picture--now I can keep an eye out when I visit the Gonda 7th lobby! "Dr. Kwon flipped the monitor around so we could view the scan … Why was I ever excited or happy that my Jeff would meet the criteria for LU-177?! The cancer is just everywhere." --I think I appreciate the mixed emotions. You knew the cancer is everywhere, but for the 177 LU it's critical that cancer is PSMA-avid, which is what lights up the scan. By contrast if the cancer looks dim, it's much less likely that the 177 LU will be effective. So in his case, if he's going to have a lot of cancer, it's a blessing that it's PSMA-avid! (Also, I think those second monitors on the swivel stands are just great, and I don't know if they'd have been installed without Covid-19. So if we must have cancer, may it light up in the PSMA scan; and if we're going to have a Covid pandemic, may we get the nice big monitors the exam rooms!)
Seems strange to congratulate someone on having to start a new cancer treatment regime, but that's where we are at with this lousy disease. Here's hoping this one works out for Jeff! 🤞
May God Bless you Stephanie , Mr Jeff and the kids with the resolve , love and healing that he needs. Steph, you are on top of everything. There are Probably not too many better than Dr. Kwon! The Reality of it all ( what a concept?)..Brutal
Honesty has no place here. Only love and compassion matters now. So for these He has you and the kids and the pup in spades. In this he is blessed. Stay strong Steph!❤️❤️❤️ . You’re his rock . I Guarantee that Jeff has thousands of us here aware and praying on his behalf. I am only one.🙏🕊🕊
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Six cycles of Lu-177 treatment
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Lu-177 or Cabazitaxel
LU 177
Decided to start LU-177 in June
