I had recurrence at Christmas, two thirds of the way through Cisplatin and Gemcitabine, so I am now platinum resistant and lost my chance to get a PARP inhibitor through the CDF.
But, lucky timing, my recurrence coincided with the OCTOVA Trial being opened up to BRCA negative women. This small trial has 3 arms: a) Taxol, b) Olaparib and c) Olaparib and Cediranib. I am 6 days into arm c. This is also a crossover trial which means that if you recur on the Taxol arm while on the trial you get offered Olaparib.
I think this is the best chance at a PARP for platinum resistant women.
I hope this helps some of you look at other options.
Best wishes,
Louise
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Lou53
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I was offered this at Addenbrookes but didn’t qualify as tumour needed to be grade 3 serous. Lady running trial said that if you qualify they can arrange monitoring at hospitals closer to home in most instances. I thought it sounded very good. They rarely run trials for my tumour type so shouldn’t have been surprised
Hi, I'm at the Christie but I think other UK hospitals are involved. If you look for the OCTOVA trial info on line it should tell you which ones. Good luck.
Hi Lou, I've just signed up for the Octova trial but don't know which arm I'm on yet. No idea which one I prefer to be on, so waiting "patiently".Should start treatment beginning of April. Be good to hear how you cope with side effects.
The side effects for me have been tolerable so far on Cediranib and Olaparib and for me a better quality of life than on chemo. The nausea is controllable with Metoclopramide and the fatigue is the main symptom, muscle fatigue as well as general tiredness. I have been advised this may get better as my body adapts to the drugs. I am 2 months in and hoping for many more months on this one. However, responses are very individual and it has been worse for some women on this forum.
Best of luck to you with whatever arm you end up on.
Interesting you are on same arm as me! I am just starting my 4th month now and clinic visits have gone down to monthly which feels very liberating. Although nausea and fatigue have definitely got better, the muscle fatigue is still limiting me from what I would be able to do off chemo (without Ascites). I am trying to focus on what I can do and enjoy life to the full whilst I am chemo free. Lots of holidays planned.
Hi Lou. I've been on octova trial for 4 months now. I got the taxol arm. I really wanted the tablets. I am doing well on taxol. But in a strange way I don't want it to work so I can have a go on the other arms. Just wating for results on second scan now to see if it's shrunk any more. Good luck on your journey. Keep us up to date.
Hi Claire, we must have started at same time. I completely understand your dilemma about Taxol. Is the weekly lower dose better than Carbo/Taxol?
I have just had my second scan results and most disease is stable with one tumour slightly reduced. So good news. Hopefully I get more time on this one. Best of luck to you.
Hi Louise. Weekly taxol is miles better than carbo taxol. I have my chemo on a Thursday and I have a bad day Saturday and then it starts to get better. I'm not sure how long I will be on it for. When i ask. They just say still it stops working or I can't tolerate it anymore. Having a couple of weeks off in May going on holiday can't wait.
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