CPT-11 & Erbitux

Goldie1
Goldie1 Member Posts: 264 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband Pat will be starting this treatment on 8/8. Just recently, we saw a doctor to discuss Chemoembolization and Radio Frequency Ablation for the lesions on his liver. But, his recent CAT scan decided otherwise. So, the focus is back on his whole body and hopefully in the future we can return to those other options regarding the liver.

Has anyone had the combo of CPT-11 and Erbitux? I know everyone is different but just interested in how it went for other people.

Thanks!

Ellen

Comments

  • zirotra
    zirotra Member Posts: 30
    #2
    hi make sure to go for a
    hi make sure to go for a target NOW test. that will tell you whether CPT-11 will work or not as opposed to Oxaliplatin. In my case oxaliplatin had a good response, and CPT-11 had 0 response
  • zirotra
    zirotra Member Posts: 30
    #3
    zirotra said:

    hi make sure to go for a
    hi make sure to go for a target NOW test. that will tell you whether CPT-11 will work or not as opposed to Oxaliplatin. In my case oxaliplatin had a good response, and CPT-11 had 0 response

    Or i guess you wouldnt know
    Or i guess you wouldnt know unless you try out the medicine for couple of cycles. did they did a K-ras mutation test also?
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #4
    Hi Ellen
    I've been on Erbitux alone but mostly Erbitux and CPT11 since roughly mid-late 2005.
    I've had good success as far as it slowing the growths in my lung(s).

    Here's a bit from my bio page: "I have had mets in my lungs and have been on Erbitux or a combination of Erbitux and Irinotecan. I had surgery in my right lung in spring of 2006, both lungs in spring of 2007, and the right lung again in 2008. All three of those operations were wedge resections of the lung(s). I had a RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation) in Sept 07, June 08, and Dec 09 for spots in right lung. I am currently "stable" but there are 'spots' in my lungs but they are not growing. We're tried one month on and one month off chemo but the tumors start to grow. I've also done the every other week of chemo but I had many skin issues with cracked fingers. I am still in treatment going in once every 3 weeks for Erbitux only and that seems to be keeping things stable and the side effects are more manageable. I still have the cracked skin but it's not as severe."

    I had my last RFA to my lung in Dec 2011 and went on Erbitux and CPT11 again. It's kept the few spots that popped up stable for the most part. I seem to be averaging an RFA a year to the lungs. As far as procedures go, it's a walk in the park! When I had my initial surgery in Sept 2004 when they did my liver & colon resection, I had an HAI (infusion) pump installed and between that and systemic chemo it cleared my liver. It's been fine since.

    The Erbitux and CPT11 side effects ranged from a pretty severe rash on my face and torso at first, but after time I hardly get any rash. I do have issues with cracked fingers and toe issues but they come and go and are manageable.

    I hope this is helpful to your husband Pat and to you too Ellen.
    -phil
  • Goldie1
    Goldie1 Member Posts: 264 Member
    #5
    zirotra said:

    hi make sure to go for a
    hi make sure to go for a target NOW test. that will tell you whether CPT-11 will work or not as opposed to Oxaliplatin. In my case oxaliplatin had a good response, and CPT-11 had 0 response

    No mention...
    of a target now test or K-ras test, I will look into that. The oncologist is doing the CPT-11 and Erbitux because the neuropathy caused by the oxaliplatin was so severe but my husband had good results from it too. Thanks for your reply!
  • Goldie1
    Goldie1 Member Posts: 264 Member
    #6
    PhillieG said:

    Hi Ellen
    I've been on Erbitux alone but mostly Erbitux and CPT11 since roughly mid-late 2005.
    I've had good success as far as it slowing the growths in my lung(s).

    Here's a bit from my bio page: "I have had mets in my lungs and have been on Erbitux or a combination of Erbitux and Irinotecan. I had surgery in my right lung in spring of 2006, both lungs in spring of 2007, and the right lung again in 2008. All three of those operations were wedge resections of the lung(s). I had a RFA (Radio Frequency Ablation) in Sept 07, June 08, and Dec 09 for spots in right lung. I am currently "stable" but there are 'spots' in my lungs but they are not growing. We're tried one month on and one month off chemo but the tumors start to grow. I've also done the every other week of chemo but I had many skin issues with cracked fingers. I am still in treatment going in once every 3 weeks for Erbitux only and that seems to be keeping things stable and the side effects are more manageable. I still have the cracked skin but it's not as severe."

    I had my last RFA to my lung in Dec 2011 and went on Erbitux and CPT11 again. It's kept the few spots that popped up stable for the most part. I seem to be averaging an RFA a year to the lungs. As far as procedures go, it's a walk in the park! When I had my initial surgery in Sept 2004 when they did my liver & colon resection, I had an HAI (infusion) pump installed and between that and systemic chemo it cleared my liver. It's been fine since.

    The Erbitux and CPT11 side effects ranged from a pretty severe rash on my face and torso at first, but after time I hardly get any rash. I do have issues with cracked fingers and toe issues but they come and go and are manageable.

    I hope this is helpful to your husband Pat and to you too Ellen.
    -phil

    Thanks Phil...
    it was a very helpful post! Here we were, all set for either RFA or Chemoembolization (instead of HAI) and the CAT scan shot that right down. Hopefully someday.

    I have heard about the skin issues, especially the rashes. Pat will be going every other week for treatment. If it slows down the growth (in his lungs and liver) then we are all for it.

    Appreciate it Phil, Pat is just one year in, we are still a bit naive, and it means a lot to us to hear how other people have done throughout the years.

    Ellen

Discussion Boards