Anyone been given a 2nd go at Immunotherapy?

[Brightboy]

My husband was given 4 lots of immunotherapy as his first line treatment which they stopped & transferred him on to chemo as they said it wasn't working.

He had had antibiotics both before & during his treatment & I have read reports that suggest these can inhibit the effectiveness of the immuno.

He now requires further treatment & has tried Docetaxel but had a severe reaction to it.

We have asked if he can try immuno again but been told not as you only get one go at it on the NHS

Anyone else had this experience or got any advice please?

[foodbankcupar]

I had two years of Immunotherapy

Which, I believe, is the full allocation.

It's only licensed for two years.

Kevin

[Brightboy in reply to foodbankcupar]

Yes thanks Kevin

I was aware of that & hope it has been successful & helpful for you...I understand they are trying to get the 2 year condition reviewed - have you seen the Facebook Group?

My husband's situation is slightly different in that he only had 4 rounds of immuno before being told it didn't appear to be working...I think it may have been affected by the antibiotics he had been having at the time & want to be considered for another try but been told no!!

[Sam555 in reply to Brightboy]

I’d fight for it on the grounds of the antibiotics having a negative impact. However, if you’ve had a break of 6 weeks under normal circumstances you wouldn’t normally get to go back on it. I haven’t seen this in writing anywhere but my onc told me this when I needed to miss a dose for a holiday. I’d definitely argue my point if I was you. Good luck.x

[Brightboy in reply to Sam555]

Thanks Sam555

We have been trying to fight it but seem to just come up against a brick wall.....I'm not sure sometimes if NHS protocol is so stringent they just can't revisit these things or if they just won't??

Rules are rules but sometimes they can be broken ....maybe??

[Sam555 in reply to Brightboy]

Fingers crossed. I’m fighting to go back on it once the tumours start to progress. Unless something changes I’m not likely to but it won’t stop me trying. As you’re aware theres a Facebook group dedicated to fighting the 2 year rule. I’ve been fighting for 18 months already. I’m Shirley on the Facebook group. You can friend me on there if you like as I don’t often come on this group.x

[Shads71 in reply to Sam555]

Hi Sam

I have lung Cancer and have been on pembrolizumab for 2 years now, What is the Facebook group called?

Many Thks

Tracey

[Sam555 in reply to Shads71]

Hi. It’s immunotherapy UK policy campaign.x