Immunotherapy and Keytruda

SCCcaregiver

My mother was recently diagnosed with a recurrence of her jaw tumor. This time it's floor of the mouth, localized. We went through double mandibulectomy and fibula free flap, chemo and rads the first time two years ago.

This time, she is starting treatment with Keytruda and her oncologist is very optimistic. I did not see any recent posts regarding immunotherapy on this discussion board. Has anyone here been on Keytruda?

wbcgaruss

I Have Not

Been on it myself but have read of others using it usually with good results but of course, it varies by person and each individual case. I have a neighbor who I believe is on Keytruda for about 2 years and so far her cancer situation is holding and stabilized. Here is a good article on Keytruda for Head & neck cancer treatment.  https://news.cancerconnect.com/head-neck-cancer/keytruda-precision-cancer-immunotherapy-treatment-for-head-and-neck-cancer-A7uF7bH_90O_o_zVCOEIbw

And here is another  https://www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/cancer-types/head-neck-cancer 

And here is the search that was done to find these so you can explore more  https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=immunotherapy+success+rate+head+and+neck+cancer&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjardeNpe_uAhWCGc0KHalBB2IQ1QIoAHoECA8QAQ&biw=1844&bih=789

I hope this helps in some small way or a large way-Wishing you the best-Take Care-God Bless-Russ

robinsok

Just starting Keytruda

Hi Caregiver. My husband just started Keytruda - got his first infusion last Monday. He'll get two more before we get a new scan to see how well it's working but so far he hasn't had terrible side effects from it - not in comparison to those he experienced during chemo or radiation at any rate. My understanding, such as it is, is that response to Keytruda is better with higher tumor PD-L1 expression, at least for some cancers. I'm sure your oncologist has considered this, and while I'm sorry to hear about the recurrence of the tumor, it's great that your oncologist is so optimistic about the pembro. Ours is too. I'll provide an update once we get the new scan. 

Hope all goes well for you and your mom. 

SCCcaregiver

robinsok said:

Just starting Keytruda

Hi Caregiver. My husband just started Keytruda - got his first infusion last Monday. He'll get two more before we get a new scan to see how well it's working but so far he hasn't had terrible side effects from it - not in comparison to those he experienced during chemo or radiation at any rate. My understanding, such as it is, is that response to Keytruda is better with higher tumor PD-L1 expression, at least for some cancers. I'm sure your oncologist has considered this, and while I'm sorry to hear about the recurrence of the tumor, it's great that your oncologist is so optimistic about the pembro. Ours is too. I'll provide an update once we get the new scan. 

Hope all goes well for you and your mom. 

Here’s to hope

The side effects have indeed been much milder (rather none at all that we can see) than the cisplatin chemo. Next infusion is scheduled in a couple of weeks and I will post an update.

Prayers for all our loved ones going through this.

SCCcaregiver

wbcgaruss said:

I Have Not

Been on it myself but have read of others using it usually with good results but of course, it varies by person and each individual case. I have a neighbor who I believe is on Keytruda for about 2 years and so far her cancer situation is holding and stabilized. Here is a good article on Keytruda for Head & neck cancer treatment.  https://news.cancerconnect.com/head-neck-cancer/keytruda-precision-cancer-immunotherapy-treatment-for-head-and-neck-cancer-A7uF7bH_90O_o_zVCOEIbw

And here is another  https://www.cancerresearch.org/immunotherapy/cancer-types/head-neck-cancer 

And here is the search that was done to find these so you can explore more  https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=immunotherapy+success+rate+head+and+neck+cancer&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjardeNpe_uAhWCGc0KHalBB2IQ1QIoAHoECA8QAQ&biw=1844&bih=789

I hope this helps in some small way or a large way-Wishing you the best-Take Care-God Bless-Russ

Thank you for always being

Thank you for always being there for everyone on this forum! My mom has a pretty strong PD-L1 expression, which I think is what drives her oncologist's optimism. I've read so many papers and research... It is not easy to imagine your loved one as part of the statistic. There are some decent odds, but would she be one of the lucky ones... Taking it day by day and rooting for the best.

God bless you, Russ!

sky22

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1680736#Comment_1680736

How did your husband do on Keytruda? did it work?

robinsok

Hi Sky. Alas, no. Michael died on 3/27/21. But it's a bit unclear; his surgical incisions ruptured on 3/9 so we had to stop Keytruda. Hard to say whether it would have bought him more time had that not happened.

I hope it works better for you.

SCCcaregiver

Keytruda bought my mom six months, but she lost her battle with cancer on October 18, 2021. During her treatment, she met a couple of patients on Keytruda who had done very well for a couple of years. Keep up your hope and your strenght!

sky22

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1694459#Comment_1694459

I'm sorry to hear that.....I'm praying it works for my dad

sky

lorijeannj

My 65 yr old husband has had 65 treatments since his initial chemo/rad treatment. SCC/HPV had spread to his lungs. 4 yrs of Keytruda this coming July. He has had some reactions throughout treatment but Tolerates it very well lately. We just got back from a 2 week vacation in Florida.

lorijeannj

All in all, everyone is different and i wish the best.

Mainestateofmind

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1695201#Comment_1695201

Thanks for posting this! Very encouraging. My 71 yr old husband had his first Nivolumab treatment in Feb.