OCTOPUS Trial

[111173]

I have been offered this trial today and would be very interested to hear from any of you who have had experience of this trial.

Lynne

[govanhill]

Hi I was on this trial. I was diagnosed with 2b ovca in 2007. Was fine for nearly 5 years but recurred in September 2012. Have had several lines of chemo since. I found the weekly Taxol very tolerable. No nausea just some fatigue. I did loose my hair. It is a blind trial but my consultant was sure I was on the azd 2014 as I developed an itchy rash on both arms at the beginning. My ca 125 came down from over 700 to 16. CT scan showed very small stable disease. I continued with the azd 125 after finishing the Taxol for about 2 months however had to stop as I developed some inflammation in my lungs which has now gone. Consultant said this is rare. He said it was a shame ss I had responded really well. There are some more tests eg cardiac echo ecgs more bloods and I had a biopsy of the tumor before starting but I 5hink that is optional. The trial team were famtastic and I was sorry I had to stop. Hope this helps. Morag

[111173 in reply to govanhill]

Thanks for the reply Morag. I have been given the option of two trials and OCTOPUS is one. I am curious to know where you had your trial. This will be my 4th line chemo since January 2014 and had taxol/carbo first time so unfortunately will suffer the hair loss again - at least I know it grows back . My CA 125 has risen to over 500, even though my latest scan doesn't look too bad, so I know something needs to be done.

You seem to have coped tolerably well since 2012 and I hope you continue to do so. I hope I can tolerate it reasonably well too.

Lynne

[govanhill in reply to 111173]

I live in Glasgow and attend the Beatson Cancer Centre where I did the trial. I honestly found it quite easy compared to some other lines of chemo. Good luck if you decide to go ahead. Can I ask what the other trial is. Morag

[111173 in reply to govanhill]

Hi Morag - the other trial was FORWARD1 but there would have been a delay to see if I had the folate receptor gene, which is necessary to take part in that trial. To avoid delay I have decided to go with the OCTOPUS. Lynne

[govanhill]

Good Luck I certainly found it the most tolerable line of chemo to date Morag

[111173]

Thanks Morag I will keep you posted. Lynne