Is there a test...

lp1964
lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

...they can perform on cancer cells once they are removed to tell if Folfox is effective? I'm asking this, because I barely had any shrinkage after radiation, Xeloda and 3 rounds of Folfox.

Thanks,

Laz

Comments

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #2
    kras
    The kras test determines if some chemo would be effective but I haven't heard of any test for folfox??
  • Chelsea71
    Chelsea71 Member Posts: 1,169 Member
    #3
    I don't think so.  I have

    I don't think so.  I have never come across any information suggesting this can be done.  But I could be wrong. 

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #4
    I'm Not Sure

    With that one I'm not sure, but I've never heard of any mutation to that one (folfox) but I'm not sure.  I'm still surprised that you didn't have any shrinkage.  You should ask your radiologist and see what they say.  You should have gotten some shrinkage and if you ask them, see if they answer that the radiation machine was set up correctly.  My radiologist was so precise that he shrunk it from a nickle size to less than the head of a ball point pen.  Your radiologist is the best person to ask about why it didn't shrink.  Mine also had me on a big pad to reduce radiation to the bladder. He was excellent.  Ask your doctor and see why.  If you aren't satisfied it's almost too late to get more radiation as that can actually harm you.  Sorry you didn't get better results.

    Kim

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #5
    Annabelle41415 said:

    I'm Not Sure

    With that one I'm not sure, but I've never heard of any mutation to that one (folfox) but I'm not sure.  I'm still surprised that you didn't have any shrinkage.  You should ask your radiologist and see what they say.  You should have gotten some shrinkage and if you ask them, see if they answer that the radiation machine was set up correctly.  My radiologist was so precise that he shrunk it from a nickle size to less than the head of a ball point pen.  Your radiologist is the best person to ask about why it didn't shrink.  Mine also had me on a big pad to reduce radiation to the bladder. He was excellent.  Ask your doctor and see why.  If you aren't satisfied it's almost too late to get more radiation as that can actually harm you.  Sorry you didn't get better results.

    Kim

    I did ask him.

    He said the size of the tumor may not have changed, but its activity did, because my symptoms got signigicantly better. Which is true. I haven't had blood in my stool or any pain for a couple of months now. And you are right, I got my maximum dose, so it is what it is. Ill have the tumor removed on Tuesday, follow up with more Folfox and hope for the best. I suppose initially the Folfox should work fine.

    Thank you,

    Laz

  • Fucc
    Fucc Member Posts: 92 Member
    #6
    There is a test that can be
    There is a test that can be done to determine tumor sensitivity to various chemotherapies, even those which are not used for crc. I think it is only done overseas. I can't recall who does it, but I believe it costs about $3000 to have it done. It is not typically done in north America. I asked my oncologist about this and he kind of avoided the topic and said that these tests are unreliable and not clinically proven. That seems to be us answer to many if my queries. I don't understand why this is not standard protocol. Why waste time, money and our health on something that is ineffective....
  • Fucc
    Fucc Member Posts: 92 Member
    #7
    Fucc said:

    There is a test that can be
    There is a test that can be done to determine tumor sensitivity to various chemotherapies, even those which are not used for crc. I think it is only done overseas. I can't recall who does it, but I believe it costs about $3000 to have it done. It is not typically done in north America. I asked my oncologist about this and he kind of avoided the topic and said that these tests are unreliable and not clinically proven. That seems to be us answer to many if my queries. I don't understand why this is not standard protocol. Why waste time, money and our health on something that is ineffective....

    I was wrong, you an have it

    I was wrong, you an have it done in the united states....see link....

     

    http://www.hepahope.com/chemosensitivity-testing/index.html

     

     

     

  • hippiechicks
    hippiechicks Member Posts: 509 Member
    #8
    Hi Laz ...

    Hi Laz ... http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/molecular-profiling/MY02505/rss=17

    I think this might be what you are asking about.  I have done some reading on this and it seems very interesting ..

    Sending you comfort and wishing you a successful surgery next week ..

    Cool

  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #9
    hippiechicks said:

    Hi Laz ...

    Hi Laz ... http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/molecular-profiling/MY02505/rss=17

    I think this might be what you are asking about.  I have done some reading on this and it seems very interesting ..

    Sending you comfort and wishing you a successful surgery next week ..

    Cool

    Supposedly, a protein called S100A10

    may indicate whether or not oxi will prove effective (and a gene named ATP5J may indicate 5-FU effectiveness) however i do not recall reading of any tests for these "markers".There are undoubtedly many more researchers have uncovered (protein S100A4 as a marker for potential mets?).......

    PS don't know if anything below is of use;Haven't viewed any myself):

    http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/category/webinar-archive/

     

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #10
    lp1964 said:

    I did ask him.

    He said the size of the tumor may not have changed, but its activity did, because my symptoms got signigicantly better. Which is true. I haven't had blood in my stool or any pain for a couple of months now. And you are right, I got my maximum dose, so it is what it is. Ill have the tumor removed on Tuesday, follow up with more Folfox and hope for the best. I suppose initially the Folfox should work fine.

    Thank you,

    Laz

    Good

    Glad that there is no more blood so then the radiation did do some good and it might be that the tumor (or most of it) just died out.  They will be able to tell that from the path report.  Good luck with your upcoming surgery.  Let us know when you are able, how we are feeling and how it went.

    Kim

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #11
    a two fisted approach

    We used the post surgical pathology stains suggested by Life Extension  to determine cimetidine (CA19-9, CSLEX, similar to Matsumato 2002) and natural flavonoids (COX2) or later, celebrex.  Since CSLEX is not usually available in the US  (Japan might be better), elevated serum CEA is probably the closest clue, ditto serum CA19-9 presurgery.   These are nonstandard but seem to cut to the chase in a results oriented way.

    We used kill tests to choose the formula, where folfox and folfiri didn't really work. The most extensive direct tests available are the chemosensitivity tests done on living cells from the surgical sample.  There are two labs in California, Weisenthal Cancer Group, Huntington Beach, CA, and Rational Therapeutics, Long Beach, CA that are considered the most advanced.   Again we chose to add nonstandard materials but they beat the conventional stuff.  The commercial antibody tx (e.g. avastin, erbitux, herpeticin etc) results might be also translated to indicate potential natural inhibitors.

      

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