Post IL-2 scan yesterday showed no progression

thaxter
thaxter Member Posts: 124

Looked at the pictures and they look just the same as the ones taken the day I was admitted for first IL-2 round on 2/24.  I have about four lung mets at around 1 to 1.5 cm.  I am pleased with no progression since  the the 2/24 pictures showed a lot of growth since 1/6.  Doc says this is pretty typical and that we would do another scan in six weeks and then discuss whether to go for round 2 of IL-2.  He also talked about IL-2 taking along time to work and said that later scans would be more meaningful.  He said the first post IL-2 scan is probably done earlier than needed because patients would go nuts waiting longer.  When I mentioned PD1 and other drugs he mentioned that Merck was expanding access to their PD1 drug which apparently has just changed names.  From Robin at Smart Patients "The Merck anti-PDL1 drug MK-3475 is now known as pembrolizumab instead of lambrolizumab."

 

 

 

Comments

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    no growth

    is good Thax. I hope you get to take the Il-2 again. I would go back in this afternoon if they suggested it. No matter how miserable it was. By the way, unless I take the time to think about it, I NEVER think about what I went through. It is a blessing. All behind me and moving forward. I hope you are feeling good.

  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    That sounds like GREAT news

    That sounds like GREAT news to me! Keep up the good work.. keep us posted!!! Go out and enjoy the spring... I think it might stay around this time!

  • DMike
    DMike Member Posts: 259
    IL2 News

    Great news Thaxter! Just work on getting your strength back for now.

    David

  • BDS
    BDS Member Posts: 172
    IL-2 Question

     

     

    Congratulations Thaxter - may you have continued success Interleukin 2 (IL-2). Right now, I am tentatively set to start treatment with IL-2 on May 5th at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Been running around like a nut case getting the entire pre-required medical test completed (Cardio stress echo / EKG / pulmonary function study / Brain MRI/ CT scan and blood tests).   But I do have a question for you and Fox. The Doctors at Jefferson might be doing something a little different with me. The plan is to radiate one of my tumors in my lungs three days ahead of time. The hope here is to initiate an immune response before the Interleukin 2 is administered. Did you or Fox have this done?

     

  • thaxter
    thaxter Member Posts: 124
    BDS said:

    IL-2 Question

     

     

    Congratulations Thaxter - may you have continued success Interleukin 2 (IL-2). Right now, I am tentatively set to start treatment with IL-2 on May 5th at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Been running around like a nut case getting the entire pre-required medical test completed (Cardio stress echo / EKG / pulmonary function study / Brain MRI/ CT scan and blood tests).   But I do have a question for you and Fox. The Doctors at Jefferson might be doing something a little different with me. The plan is to radiate one of my tumors in my lungs three days ahead of time. The hope here is to initiate an immune response before the Interleukin 2 is administered. Did you or Fox have this done?

     

    Actually asked about radiation before IL-2

    Someone--maybe on Smart Patients mentioned the study/trial of radiation for lung mets and then IL-2.  I mentioned it to my doctor and he said no, he wouldn't do that.  I think I only had one day of tests to "qualify"--brain MRI since he said if I had brain mets we would have to take care of them before doing IL-2, and cardiac stress test.  He said based on my exam that the pulmonary function was not needed.  Then on the day I was admitted for IL-2 I got port placement in the morning, a CT scan, and then admitted to hospital in the afternoon with first dose at 1:00 am.

  • DMike
    DMike Member Posts: 259
    BDS said:

    IL-2 Question

     

     

    Congratulations Thaxter - may you have continued success Interleukin 2 (IL-2). Right now, I am tentatively set to start treatment with IL-2 on May 5th at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Been running around like a nut case getting the entire pre-required medical test completed (Cardio stress echo / EKG / pulmonary function study / Brain MRI/ CT scan and blood tests).   But I do have a question for you and Fox. The Doctors at Jefferson might be doing something a little different with me. The plan is to radiate one of my tumors in my lungs three days ahead of time. The hope here is to initiate an immune response before the Interleukin 2 is administered. Did you or Fox have this done?

     

    IL2 and radiation

    Here's a link to a discussion on radiation and IL2 on Smart Patients. About halfway down in the thread there is a reply from SusanP with embedded links. I would have done it if I'd been given that option before I started IL2.

    David

    https://www.smartpatients.com/forums/1-conversations/topics/2990-il2-treatment-for-renal-cell-carcinoma?sb_post_id=32195#sbposts-32195

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    DMike said:

    IL2 and radiation

    Here's a link to a discussion on radiation and IL2 on Smart Patients. About halfway down in the thread there is a reply from SusanP with embedded links. I would have done it if I'd been given that option before I started IL2.

    David

    https://www.smartpatients.com/forums/1-conversations/topics/2990-il2-treatment-for-renal-cell-carcinoma?sb_post_id=32195#sbposts-32195

    Not me

    By that time, most of my tumors were very small or gone. But I can see the merit.

  • Jojo61
    Jojo61 Member Posts: 1,309 Member
    foxhd said:

    Not me

    By that time, most of my tumors were very small or gone. But I can see the merit.

    Sounds good, Thax! Keep up

    Sounds good, Thax! Keep up the good work!

    And BD - good luck to you as well!

    Hugs and smiles,

    Jojo