GOLFIG, new tx cocktail

tanstaafl
tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
edited May 2011 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I came across this cocktail treatment that systematically adds gemcitabine, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, and low-dose aldesleukine (interleukin-2). It's supposed to be much better than FOLFOX on progression free survival, the drugs are already generally available:
GOLFIG

Apparently this treatment attempts to systematically push immune function (WBC or just granulocytes?) to the max, even into autoimmune territory. One test aspect I don't like is the substitution of progression free survival for overall survival - there has been abuse in the past where some PFS was not reflected in OS results. Overall, hopefully another brick in the fortress wall.

Comments

  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #2
    thanks tanstaafl, as always
    having a read of this, cannot sleep, off the toilet every few minutes, this reconnection is unbearable.

    cheers,

    Pete
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #3
    Interesting
    This is very interesting. I see that the report is from the recent AACR research conference. Gemcitabine = Gemzar.

    Lisa42 -- isn't that what you are on?

    Curious if anyone else is on Gemzar or this GOLFIG regime.....

    Tara
  • SisterSledge
    SisterSledge Member Posts: 332 Member
    #4
    taraHK said:

    Interesting
    This is very interesting. I see that the report is from the recent AACR research conference. Gemcitabine = Gemzar.

    Lisa42 -- isn't that what you are on?

    Curious if anyone else is on Gemzar or this GOLFIG regime.....

    Tara

    Gemzar+Cisplatin
    I was originally diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer with liver mets (cancer only showing in liver) and put on this mix chemo...though it now seems likely that my cancer origin is colon, since the chemo is working for me, there is no reason yet to change to something else more regularly used for cc treatment. My liver tumors have shrunk 35% after four treatments...after five more treatments, tumors didn't shrink more but they are showing as completely inactive on PET scan. And, it seems they may have shrunk enough to start talking liver resection, though I think they are still needing to shrink a bit more first. My biggest tumor (I have four) was 12cm and is now down to 4.5cm.
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #5
    SisterSledge said:

    Gemzar+Cisplatin
    I was originally diagnosed with Bile Duct Cancer with liver mets (cancer only showing in liver) and put on this mix chemo...though it now seems likely that my cancer origin is colon, since the chemo is working for me, there is no reason yet to change to something else more regularly used for cc treatment. My liver tumors have shrunk 35% after four treatments...after five more treatments, tumors didn't shrink more but they are showing as completely inactive on PET scan. And, it seems they may have shrunk enough to start talking liver resection, though I think they are still needing to shrink a bit more first. My biggest tumor (I have four) was 12cm and is now down to 4.5cm.

    thanks Roger
    Thanks for sharing this information. I am so happy you are having such a good response to the cocktail. May that continue!!

    May I ask where you are receiving your treatment? It seems this is a new approach (at least for cc), so I'm curious.

    I did ask my onc about Gemzar last week -- he says its still pretty new for cc and he'd be a little hesitant to try it -- but he's open....Have your side effects been pretty manageable?

    I'm about to start folfoxfiri myself -- but trying to keep informed about new developments just in case.....

    Thanks again,

    Tara
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #6
    taraHK said:

    thanks Roger
    Thanks for sharing this information. I am so happy you are having such a good response to the cocktail. May that continue!!

    May I ask where you are receiving your treatment? It seems this is a new approach (at least for cc), so I'm curious.

    I did ask my onc about Gemzar last week -- he says its still pretty new for cc and he'd be a little hesitant to try it -- but he's open....Have your side effects been pretty manageable?

    I'm about to start folfoxfiri myself -- but trying to keep informed about new developments just in case.....

    Thanks again,

    Tara

    woops
    my title should have said "Thanks" (only) -- not sure how Roger snuck in ha ha!

    Tara
  • SisterSledge
    SisterSledge Member Posts: 332 Member
    #7
    taraHK said:

    thanks Roger
    Thanks for sharing this information. I am so happy you are having such a good response to the cocktail. May that continue!!

    May I ask where you are receiving your treatment? It seems this is a new approach (at least for cc), so I'm curious.

    I did ask my onc about Gemzar last week -- he says its still pretty new for cc and he'd be a little hesitant to try it -- but he's open....Have your side effects been pretty manageable?

    I'm about to start folfoxfiri myself -- but trying to keep informed about new developments just in case.....

    Thanks again,

    Tara

    Roger, over and out :)
    Although my chemo mix is a standard treatment for bile duct cancer for many years, it has only been approved for colon cancer in the past three years or so, I think...which means that insurance/medicaid will cover it.

    My side effects have been quite minimal...light nausea the first time that never reoccurred, some fatigue, and a curious numb spot on one calf (calve?) that DrDoom says is not related, as neuropathy starts at extremities and moves up the limb...just never starts mid-limb like I've got??? Water retention from the dexo included for nausea and sleeplessness the night or two after chemo. Oh, and a curious effect that my sneezes have become a forceful act that brings on nausea that takes a few minutes to go away after a sneezing event. My mix also includes Aloxi and potassium/manganese.
  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    #8
    SisterSledge said:

    Roger, over and out :)
    Although my chemo mix is a standard treatment for bile duct cancer for many years, it has only been approved for colon cancer in the past three years or so, I think...which means that insurance/medicaid will cover it.

    My side effects have been quite minimal...light nausea the first time that never reoccurred, some fatigue, and a curious numb spot on one calf (calve?) that DrDoom says is not related, as neuropathy starts at extremities and moves up the limb...just never starts mid-limb like I've got??? Water retention from the dexo included for nausea and sleeplessness the night or two after chemo. Oh, and a curious effect that my sneezes have become a forceful act that brings on nausea that takes a few minutes to go away after a sneezing event. My mix also includes Aloxi and potassium/manganese.

    calf neuropathy
    I too have neuropathy in my calves although it started in my feet as is "normal". The thing is my feet are getting better but I have cramps most mornings that I think are due to the neuropathy as well as stiffness in my ankles. Very odd. My last oxi infusion was in 2009.

    hopefully with such a different cocktail the nueropathy won't get worse. Glad to hear you're getting the K/Ma before infusion, that really helped me to go 26 rounds of FOLFOX

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