Why is Jevtana used as one of the last options for the cancer?

[Wyldhare22]

My husband has had PC for 9 years this month. He has almost run out of drugs to try. The last two left are Jevtana and LU-177.

He just did 5 rounds of Radium and was told he now has to wait 6 months before he can try LU-177.

That leaves Jevtana.

He had a bad reaction to Taxotern (sp) and almost died. He got multiple holes in his colon that went septic. He was in the hospital well over a month.

So maybe men normally get Jevtana sooner, but they have held back due to his reaction to Taxotern?

His hemoglobin is 9.9. His PSA is doubling every two weeks. Last test was 255. He runs a low grade fever, especially at night. He eats less than two meals a day and is struggling to drink water.

Is he in any shape for Jevtana? Or will this make him suffer more before an unavoidable death? He didn’t get out of bed today like he normally does. I feel like I am in uncharted territory.

As it will likely be asked, he has done Xtandi, Xofigio, Lymparza, and Provenge. As well as two does of Taxotern. We live in rural Kentucky.

Thank you

[tango65]

Because it is expensive and it is approved only for patients previously treated with docetaxel

accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatf...

[EdBacon]

I've done several cycles of Jevtana and also Taxotere. Jevtana side effects are quite a bit less than Taxotere for most. I found it a lot easier to tolerate.

It's also effective. I had very bad pain before my first infusion. The pain got it a little worse right after infusion, but then went away completely in a few days. I had the side effects still, but it was definitely killing the cancer at the same time so overall I was feeling better. It's counter-intuitve to think that chemo will make you feel better, but it can and does if it's working.

[Wyldhare22 in reply to EdBacon]

This is really good to hear! Thank you!

[EdBacon in reply to Wyldhare22]

It's funny beacuse I'm in a similar situation. My cancer is progressing quickly while I wait for my turn in the line for Pluvicto. I'm in quite a bit of pain and it's getting worse. Found out today my PSA and alkaline phosphatase jumped up quite a bit since the last blood test.

My doctor didn't want to give me any more chemotherapy in the meantime and I pushed to get one more cycle which he approved today after we talked on the phone. I just got scheduled for it a couple hours ago. Managed to make it out of bed, but barely. Did almost nothing and stayed in my pajamas all day.

[SkylerG in reply to EdBacon]

EdBacon, I was given the choice of Pluvicto (which I followed for 2 years thru clinical trials and was obviously gung-ho for it) or Jevtana after my PSA went from <1 to 72 in less than a year. My PSA seemed to level off after the 2nd Pluvicto, but then the 3-day prior labs for the 3rd infusion showed a 5-week doubling. Had to cancel it the day before (what a waste of a $42k med) and am scheduled for Jevtana in a week. I am going to push for a 2-week instead of 3-week gap for my 2nd Jevtana. I am on the steroid DMX (dexamethasone) and Narco (hydro condone) to deal with pain. The balance is working very well so far. The next talk with my oncologist will include my wanting to know if I can expect to make it into 2024 or not. Life's a bitch sometimes, eh?

[Wyldhare22 in reply to SkylerG]

I hope you get good answers. I will be cheering on your battle.

[Muffin2019 in reply to EdBacon]

Just completed my 6th infusion of jevtana, CT scan in about a week and half then follow up before Christmas the 7th infusion after Christmas. No bone scan scheduled as no progression in 3 past scans and no pain in the bones, the lesions are on the liver and around the bladder area. Side effects are indigestion for about 5 or six days, hot flashes for a week or so and fatigue. I take tums and it helps to keeps the calcium up but now to work on potassium which is low, spinach and broccoli with bananas. Also back to yogurt to replace the good stuff, after the last infusion after 5 days I got a sinus infection then the meds caused very bad intestinal issues. The doctor thinks I am allergic to the antibiotic, I am working on getting that straighten out but has improved alot. I have to step up the water as if I become not hydrated enough I get a touch of blood in the urine, after downing about 24 onces of water it disappears. The blood in the urine is a side effect of the jevanta so keep drinking the water.

[Wyldhare22]

I am cheering for both you and my husband. May tomorrow be a better day!

[NotAlwaysSunshine]

First dose of Jevtana was Tuesday. So far so good. I'm not aware of Jevtana being crazy expensive. So far Provenge and Lu-177 were the most expensive drugs that he has tried. He was supposed have carboplatin with the Jevtana. The oncologist forgot to order it. Go figure. What a cluster and so very stressful. He will get the carboplatin at the end of December. With Jevtana, he took Nulasta and he is on prednizone.

[woolspnr51]

Get on a trial of Orgovyx, or research the effects Fenbendazole has on cancer cells.

[CG67]

Jevtana bought two years for my late husband. It was much more tolerable than docetaxel.

[Wyldhare22 in reply to CG67]

Thank you for sharing this, it gives me hope!

[Univs]

I had my second dose of Jevtana/Cabazitaxel last week. Tolerating very well and feeling good. Aches and pains have disappeared. Second dosage was slightly adjusted due to elevated "ALT". Will assess PSA/other indicators, end of month. Good Luck!

[Marit85 in reply to Univs]

Hi! May I ask if you considered Lutitium 177 prior to starting Jevtana? My father has a pretty similar situation to yours and is now considering his options. We are wondering about the best sequensing of these two drugs?

[Univs in reply to Marit85]

Hi.....while at the time it was not available it was noted as a possible future option. Sequencing was not specifically discussed. I have an appointment with my MO tomorrow and will try and work into the discussion the sequencing aspect. Wishing you the best.