Immunotherapy drug that worked for me - Lung Cancer Support

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Immunotherapy drug that worked for me

ynkefan08753 profile image
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Hi everyone. As requested, the name of the immunotherapy drug that I was given during my clinical trial is IMFINZI. I wasn’t 100% sure because the name was never discussed with me and it wasn’t even approved outside the trial until recently (I think it was approved less than 2 years ago). I was given an infusion every 2 weeks for 52 weeks...26 infusions in all, given through my port. It was a double blind trial so we didn’t really know if I was getting the drug and neither did my doctor. After the second infusion I broke out in hives every time thereafter and since that’s one of the main side effects..well, it wasn’t hard to figure out I was getting the drug not the placebo. I also developed a heart murmur and that’s also one of the possible effects. During this 52 weeks I received no other treatment and my tumor shrank and shrank and shrank. Went from the size of an orange to the size of a peanut m&m. As everyone knows I had a pet scan in September and have been declared cancer free. I was told at diagnosis that my cancer was treatable but not curable. Well...maybe that’s because this drug was originally meant for liver cancer and they accidentally figured out what it could do for nsclc. Whatever the reasons...I’m here and I’m cancer free and immunotherapy drugs are changing the cancer game. I hope anyone and everyone who is able to get this infusion treatment has the same wonderful results that I did. If my cancer comes back I’m going to assume I will be able to have this drug again and not have to worry about blind trials and placebos because it’s now been approved by the fda for patient use outside the trial forum. I think the biggest difference with this drug and opdivo and keytruda is that Imfinzi is only for NSCLC that has NOT spread outside the lungs. I’m pretty sure opdivo and keytruda are specifically for LC that HAS spread. At least now there’s an option for both. I hope this info helps someone or their loved ones. 😊😊😊

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ynkefan08753
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SusieJo1948 profile image
SusieJo1948

That's great the last 3months I was on chemo i received Abraxane it had only been out for five years and it was a targeted it went directly to the cancer didn't harm good cells. If he hadn't changed when he did I was taking taxetere and he said it was killing me. Also took carblatin the whole six months. I refused radiation because they said it would mess my esophagus and I would have to be tube Fed and it would mess with my good lung. I have here and severe peptic ulcer desease,and emphysema so no way was I taking radiation. In the end the chemo and targeted therapy. Got rid of mine I'm a six year survivor and here's to many more. From one survivor to another. Love susiejo

anrean profile image
anrean

Congratulations!! It is great to hear a success story. Will keep your success in the back of my mind for the future. God Bless, Lauri-Anne

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