HDIL2 after Sutent

I am on Sutent-Nivolumab trial and when I started the trial, I was given the choice of the IL-2 or the trial. My doctor was quite clear that there may not be a trial spot if I went Il-2 first. In his words "if the trial doesn't work, we always have IL-2 as a plan B. I go for an appt. next Thursday, I will inquire.

Gordon Charles said:

my 1.5 cents....

My oncologist described the HD IL2 therapy as a treatment that needed to be done before any other treatment.  I got the impression that the drug liked a clean playing field to work with, not altered by other drugs. I suppose that with its low success rate they don't want IL2 facing a modified disease.  I remember him saying that the sequence of other drugs was the next step after IL2.

I received the same story from my oncologist as Gordon.  I was thinking (my 1 cent) that it was because all the treatments take a toll on your body and want a person to be in the best shape as possible to take the IL-2.  ????  Tough stuff.  Good luck.

NanaLou said:

I did it.

I was on Sutent from Late Jan 2012 to Sept. 1st 2012.  I started IL2 September 20,2012. Both are hard on your heart. My Doctor didn't want to start with IL2, in case it didn't work on me. I had 95% Sarcomotiod. After two round of Sutent it was down 50%. After two more round there was no change. That is when we did the IL2. Dec 2012 there was slight shrinkage, so I went again in Jan 2013 and that took it down to 8mm in two spots. So I did my thrid round of IL2 in April/May 2013. Scans in July show no change still two spots 8mm. Doctor is calling it a full response. We follow up with more scans in October. If you truly want it I would look for a Doctor willing to try. They did all these test on me to make sure I was healthy either to go through IL2. Best  wishes to you.

 

NanaLou  

Nancy, you're a landmark success.  I don't know of another patient who has demonstrated the value of the newer meds FOR SARCOMATOID in the way you have.

I believe that Janice Dutcher, one of the top two experts on rare cancers, still reckons that the old cytotoxics are the best chance for sRCC treatment because of the high mitotic rate.  I've had high expectations, however, for some of the latest agents as being promising for highly aggressive cancer pathologies, so it's a great thrill to see you bearing that out!