Hi, I was wondering if ya'll know how long it takes to start seeing results from being on Keytruda. My husband, who was diagnosed with lung cancer last year just recently started Keytruda and has had two treatments, but he doesn't feel any better. He's tired, has pain and nausea.
Thank ya'll
Two treatments might be a little too soon to tell. They usually scan after the first four treatments and that might be an indicator of progress. His PD-L1 expression is also a good indicator of how long and how successful treatment will be. After only two treatments, though, it's too soon to be looking for big changes. I've been a Keytruda patient for about eighteen months and there were small signs of progress at my first scan after four treatments. Hang in there! Killing cancer takes time.
Thank you for the information and at least now I can tell him to keep fighting. I do know his PD-L1 is in the high 90s, so hopefully this will help.
High PD-L1 expressions in lung cancer are a big help in the success rate of Keytruda. That's a real plus in your husband's favor.
I got results after first 3 infusions 6 weeks apart..52 more after that has me in Complete Durable Clinical Remission NED.
That really gives me hope. Thank you!
My situation is with metastatic Prostate cancer stage 4, I only got response due to fact I carry a rare Genomic mutation that carried with it an HBM...High Burden Mutation that qualified me for experimental use of a checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy..we are all different, I hope you have same success as I.
I hope so and Thanks again!
It’s very unique to each person. I got positive results in the first six months. Been stable for the next fourteen. Everyone is different. I experienced sides effects initially but they got much better after awhile. I hope he feels better soon.
Thank you and I'm glad to hear how well you're doing. Gives me hope!
I have been on Keytruda since September 2019 (Keytruda only since October 2020) and I really have never had my tumors get smaller. What I did get was being stable all this time so that was good for me. I only found out in December 2021 that I now have mets to brain. I swear Keytruda is what has saved my life. I felt the longer I was on Keytruda my body got used to it. I am lucky and have had very few side effects. My side effects were the rash (and got it all over my body). I went on steroids (Presdisone) very small done every day and took care of the rash in a few days. I still am on steroids but only 5mg a day because Keytruda and steroids don't go together. Best of luck with your husband. I hope he chooses to stay on Keytruda because I swear by it. Karen in Minnesota
Thank you and you definitely give me hope. I hope all goes well for you and thanks again
It's too soon to know if the treatment is working and it's not at all unusual that he is not feeling better. I had fantastic results with immunotherapy (Opdivo), but I had absolutely no idea until my first scan at about 9 weeks in. And even with good results I did not feel better. Treatment is exhausting emotionally and physically and it's cumulative. Fatigue is a very very common side effect, along with nausea and sometimes pain. I'm now NED and doing well without any treatment but I was constantly exhausted during treatment - it was really hard 😟. But now to be doing so well it was absolutely worth it and I would do it all again to be where I am now. I'd say it took a good year or longer to start feeling better! Take it one day at a time! Best wishes!!
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