Pre screening for the clinical trial. I didn't know what I didn't know.

[Costarica1961]

this past Thursday I was eligible to be pre screened for the clinical trial, I am now in that category, at least temporarily because it was determined I am anemic, I am scheduled for a transfusion next week to bring my count up. I am in between chemo, as well i have extensive bone Mets and luckily a downward PSA trend from 234 now 35. thank goodness. Considering I am at this crossroads, I am thinking radium 223 might be a better option, I have some bone pain and the last bone scan showed no new progression. I could stay on the current path or do another round of chemo, or radium 223. Then one or the other treatment. Any thoughts

[Tall_Allen]

It depends on the cause of your anemia. If it is a result of extensive bone marrow infiltration by your cancer, Xofigo may make it worse.

[Costarica1961 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Can they determine the exact cause through tests. My main objective is always to have some treatment on board at any given time , in the past when I didn't even for a short while my cancer progressed rapidly, Bombesin is still a remote option considering the rigid eligibility requirements. Chemo round 8 is still available, although there's a washout for at least 3 weeks after to transition to the clinical trial. My key question tall_ Allen is, the cabitaxal and carbplatin i am currently taking has incrementally brought my psa down over the last 4 sessions by 50 points consecutively, and the bone scans have shown no new progression, is this sucess and should I just stay the course, or consider the other options previously mentioned. And how long theoretically can I keep riding the chemo train, so far minimal to mid side effects. Sorry for the long winded question.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Costarica1961]

It sounds like you are doing well on this therapy. I don't understand why you are thinking of changing it.

[Costarica1961 in reply to Tall_Allen]

The thought is the bombesin trial has significant longer term benefits, if in fact i qualify and I tolerate the treatment. I hope this is a wise path, the doctor also suggested radium 223 if I don't qualify for the trial. I recall you may have mentioned in a prior post that 223 could increase Mets or make things worse, did I get that right.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Costarica1961]

No, you certainly did not hear that from me- just the opposite.

[Costarica1961 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Good to know. Sorry for the misunderstanding, I did hear that from someone else, I found out yesterday I indeed don't qualify for this compound of bombasin , they did the psma pet scan unfortunately there was not the expression they were looking for. I will continue on with chemo and will suggest radium 223 and Lu 177 to my oncologist today. Where would you go for lu 177. ? Thankyou Tall_ Allen

[Tall_Allen in reply to Costarica1961]

Here's a list of US trials. Outside the US, Germany, India, and Australia have been used by several patients in this forum.

prostatecancer.news/2020/08...