HAI Pump Floxuridine (FUDR) and Panitumumab (Vectibix) - Anyone?

Deborah17

Hi,

I am 58, originally diagnosed a year ago with colorectal cancer with extensive liver mets not operable. After a year of Capox, I shrank all of it massively. I recently was able to have a colon resection. I also had an HAI liver pump implanted to go after the liver mets that are left.

I have had only one infusion so far and it has cut my CEA in half.

I am supposed to get some sort of adjunct therapy. Here is the thing. The whole point of having the HAI liver pump is to get targeted chemo and reduce the need for systemic chemo. One story of a patient who inspired me long ago is liver cancer survivor, a yoga instructor who had gotten HAI therapy as an alternative to getting irinotecan, in which she lost all of her hair. The HAI liver pump uses a kind of chemo called Floxuridine of FUDR.

My oncologists want to add Panitumumab (Vectibix). I have read on this site extensive experiences about the rash, and initially, did not want to use this drug at all. But my Drs say that their patients have good experiences and not all even get the rash.

Here is the thing: I have been denied Panitumumab by my insurance company.

They say that pairing Panit. with FUDR (the HAI pump chemo) is "experimental". All the data on the HAI liver pump indicates use of it with irinotecan, or Folfox, or Folfiri (the latter two contain oxaliplatin and irinotecan respectively) - all heavy duty systemic chemo. It means I can only get Panit. with my HAI pump IF I get heavy systemic chemo. Isn't that against the whole point? Isn't it a good idea to use a biologic (Panit) with the HAI chemo to reduce the need of systemic chemo?

But there is no data or studies I can find.

Looking for people with experiences with HAI therapy (FUDR) and Panitumumab. I am also interested in hearing about studies if known, and experiences of patients with HAI and systemic chemo of any kind.

Blessings, well-being, healing and happiness to all,

Deborah