My PSCA CAR-T Journey

[Javelin18]

Here's an update on my experience with the CAR-T trial at City of Hope. I got lymphodepletion chemotherapy Wednesday through Friday of las week, then wen home. I checked into the hospital on July 4, and got the T cells the evening of July 5.

I haven't had any Cytokine Release Syndrome ( CRS) reaction yet. In their experience, happens 2-3 days after receiving the cells. I'm anxiously awaiting the start of that. On the one hand, I don't want to go through the reaction, but on the other hand CRS shows that the therapy is working.

I learned something interesting. My PSA went down by 1/3. from the lymphodepletion. It does something to the immune microenvironment that knocks back the cancer. I think this is an area of research that needs to be explored more.

[DesertDaisy]

Thank you for the update. Praying this is successful for you.

Dwight's wife, Kay

[Tall_Allen]

Do they give you an antihistamine to counter the cytokines? You are right that the immune system also protects the cancer and we need to figure out how to stop that effect.

[Javelin18 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I know that there's a treatment to counter the cytokines, but I'm not sure if it's an antihistamine. I'll ask the doctor next time they make rounds.

[CAMPSOUPS]

Hey brother Javelin. I sound like a broken record but again I am glad you got into this trial and I am guardedly (I should leave out the word guardedly but you and us here know nothing is guaranteed) optimistic that this will finally give you some breathing room from the aggressive fast moving PC you have delt with.

Mine is on the move again. I got 11 months out of chemo and now 12 months into Zytiga it looks sure my ride on it has ended. I will do the prednisone to dexamethasone switch with Zytiga and hopefully get a few more months on the Zytiga. Reality is it won't be long and I will be looking at some of the end treatments. Maybe a chemo re-challenge then Xtandi.

Other options as well of course.

[Javelin18 in reply to CAMPSOUPS]

Thanks for the encouragement. The doctor is very optimistic about my outlook with the trial. I'm the first to get two 100M doses close together , and she is expecting that will work better.

Glad to hear your getting relatively long rides from your SOC treatments.

[CAMPSOUPS in reply to Javelin18]

Dr. Dorf correct?Glad to hear a detail like that. Doses close together and Dr's optimism.

Yea I have for awhile now been enthused with the Car-t work and glad you got in the trial. You have had an intense ride in a short period of time.

[Javelin18 in reply to CAMPSOUPS]

Yes, Dr Dorff is leading the trial. I'm lucky to live close to the Los Angeles area, with so many great medical centers.

[tango65]

CRS is caused by the release of interleukines, mainly IL-6 , tumor necrosis factor etc.etc. There are specific drugs such as tocilizumab a IL-6 receptor blocker which may be used to control the cytokine storm.

[Javelin18 in reply to tango65]

Thanks, that was my recollection, but it's been a while since I looked into it.

[tango65]

I believe it is a very effective drug to control the CRS and they may not need to use steroids.

I wish you the best of luck with the treatment.

[slpdvmmd]

Stay strong. Thinking positive thoughts.

[Scout4answers]

Hope you have a great outcome. Thanks for sharing your story.

[Seasid]

I wish you all the best. István

[andrew61]

It was day 9 when I started to have CAR-T CRS symptoms. So far all they have given me is Tylenol for the fever and intravenous antibiotics just in case it’s an infection and not CRS.

[Faith1111]

Thanks for the update. I am so optimistic for you! Think big. Praying for remission

[PGDuan]

Thanks for the update on this promising treatment path -- sending good vibes. Dr. Dorff and team are super so you're in good hands.

[Cynthgob]

Car-t

[swwags]

I'm watching this thread and hoping good things for you brother.