New Immunotherapy Drug

[Aiden2014]

My husbands cancer is terminal its not responded to chemo its continued to grow with new tumors appearing. Today we have received a call to say from our Oncologist to say he is now eligible for the new Immunotherapy drug that was passed only last week by Nice and that the results were very encouraging in advanced Cancers. Should we feel lifted? We daren't raise our hopes, anybody know anything about it or heard any good news stories.

[Bow-19]

Wishing you all the best. Inspire the American website has stories about peoples responses to different drugs. It maybe worth posting on there as well x

[Aiden2014 in reply to Bow-19]

Any ideas please what to google X

[Bow-19 in reply to Aiden2014]

Try Team Inspire Lung Cancer, it should bring up the American Lung Association and then you can join their website in the same way as Roy Castle one. Any problems let me know Xx

[jillygirl]

Hi Aiden , like Bow says have a search on the american sites , they are usually ahead of the uk. I am sure it would be worth a try. All the best to you both and please keep us posted.

xx

[Aiden2014 in reply to jillygirl]

Any ideas what to google please x

[jillygirl]

cancer.gov/types/lung

or if you type in the name of the drug they are offering you should come up with some answers.

Cancerresearch .uk is also a good site.

[twopars12]

Hi Aiden, it would appear that this is a treatment that offers a very high success rate. Hope you find this to be the case for your husband.

[Hidden]

Hi

I'm really sorry to hear this and am following your post as my mum has just had her scan to see if the chemo has had any effect on her cancer. She was diagnosed 8 weeks ago with SCLC which is very aggressive and has had 4 cycles of chemo so far.

We see the oncologist on Thursday for the results of the scan and I'm dreading it, can only hope that it has worked. Her 5th chemo cycle is scheduled for this Friday but I presume that will depend on the scan results.

I hope you find some hope with the new treatment offered, I am praying for you both.

Jacqui x

[tilstongal]

Hi, I wonder if the drug your talking about is Pembrolizumab? There has been a lot of talk in the press about Nivolumab and how NICE hasn't approved its use, but Pembrolizumab is virtually the same drug made by a different drug company. I think you should be well lifted by being offered this. I have been offered it too as a future plan. If I can help further please pm me.

[Aiden2014]

Thanks for your response yes that's the drug they have said he potentially will be having, they said he has the right PD-1 levels.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Aiden2014,

Pembrolizumab or Keytuda was approved by NICE at the beginning of December as a second line therapy for those who are PDL1 positive. This means that patients who live in England and Wales will now have access to this drug therapy. below is a link to cancer research web site it will give you some information as to how the drug is administered, it is also used in the treatment of melanoma.

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

Please give us a call on our helpline if you want to talk through your questions, we are happy to listen and to offer any help, our free phone number is 0800 358 7200

Kind regards The Roy Castle Helpline

[GainesH]

My heart goes out to yall. My husband had high hopes for the Opdivo Treatments. After 3 it did nothing & cancer spread throughout his body like wildfire. I pray this new one works for him. I lost my husband on December 7, 2016. Don't give up, everyone responds differently. Hugs & prayers!! ♡

[Suek55]

Wis

[Suek55 in reply to Suek55]

Wish you all the best sorry to hear this

[Ollie13]

Hi just thought i would give some encouragement i was diagnosed with lung cancer stage 3b in October last year i commenced on pembrolizumab end of October every 3 weeks. I have a tumor on my right lung had spread to the lymph nodes in my sternum and collar bones. 10 months on there us no visible cancer anywhere and the tumour has shrunk a little and is inactive. The immunotherapy is managing my cancer. So I think immunotherapy is definately the way forward if you are you a suitable candidate the side effects are less harsh than chemo. The only side effects I have are weight gain and tiredness in the afternoon. A small price to pay. I wish you well on this journey remain positive and good luck. xx

[Bettyblue54 in reply to Ollie13]

I was reading your post and wondered how you are. Are you still on pembrolizumab? My husband has just started his treatment.

[Ollie13 in reply to Bettyblue54]

Hi Bettyblue54 I wish your husband well on his journey with pembrolizumab. It is still in trials but has worked wonders for many and not for others. I was only on it for just under a year. In that time it worked wonders. I now only have an "inactive " tumour in my right lung. I continue to stay optimistic as my consultant explained even after stopping the drug it continues to work in the body for how long not yet known. I get a check up every 4 months and all appears well. I wish your husband well and stay positive do let your cancer team know if and when any side effects .

Take care be safe if you need any other info let me know but read my pieces on my page. xx

[Bettyblue54]

That is such good news. Do you get symptoms from the cancer at all? My husband is very breathless. How do you manage. Has the cancer restricted your life or are you managing to do the things you enjoy?

[Ollie13 in reply to Bettyblue54]

Hi hope your husband remains well. Yes things are not as they used to be. I do get breathless whilst out walking and still get tired from time to time. I try not to let my cancer change my life but I have modified it and do things at a slower pace. I get 4 monthly check ups now and at present all is well. If you have any concerns re your husband always ask his cancer nurse or talk to the nurse on here she is so lovely and helpful I have spoken to here a few times. Always here if you need to talk.

Take care of yourselves and stay safe . x

[Bettyblue54 in reply to Ollie13]

I am so pleased that you are keeping well and you sound really positive. My husband's tumour has got larger and this week he is so breathless and coughing which is hard to watch and distressing for him and really restricting what he can do. I have got really upset this week which doesn't help him at all so I need to find a way of dealing with this emotionally. When I feel low, stories like yours are very inspiring so thank you.