New Drug w/FDA Approval Based on Tumor Genetics

derMaus
derMaus Member Posts: 558 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

The FDA just approved the 3rd type of genetically driven, "tissue agnostic" cancer treatment.

Pembrolizuab (Keytruda) was the first. This article gives the details; an excellent reminder of how important genetic tumor testing is when developing a treatment plan.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-third-oncology-drug-targets-key-genetic-driver-cancer-rather-specific-type-tumor

Comments

  • BluebirdOne
    BluebirdOne Member Posts: 656 Member
    #2
    Thanks, derMaus

    I am always interested in the newest findings. Very promising. 

    Denise 

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    #3
    Great!

    When I saw my oncologist this week she said she thinks there will be many exciting new drugs in the immune therapy area in the next year. Reassuring the hope that I never will have to go on chemo again. 

  • Armywife
    Armywife Member Posts: 451 Member
    #4
    Thank you!

    So excited to see the rapid advancement of new therapies. Not so excited to see that list of common side effects.  Whew!

     

  • Fridays Child
    Fridays Child Member Posts: 281 Member
    #5
    Armywife said:

    Thank you!

    So excited to see the rapid advancement of new therapies. Not so excited to see that list of common side effects.  Whew!

     

    Totally agree!

    Glad to see the new therapies being approved but in reading that, I have to hope that my tests don't come back showing that's my only shot...

  • MAbound
    MAbound Member Posts: 1,175 Member
    #6
    Love you dearly!

    You are such a treasure they way you keep contributing what you find and experience with all of us. Never doubt that your presence here has a big and lasting impact. You are a big reason why I keep bringing up genetic and genomic testing with new comers. The way the science keeps changing so fast is reason for hope, but it sure helps to have a group effort keeping up with it all.

  • BluebirdOne
    BluebirdOne Member Posts: 656 Member
    #7
    Armywife said:

    Thank you!

    So excited to see the rapid advancement of new therapies. Not so excited to see that list of common side effects.  Whew!

     

    You have to admit that if side effects kept us

    from treatment, no one would have surgery, chemo. radiation, or what ever is new today. We all roll the dice and hope we won't be the one affected. The way I see it is that I already lost the first roll by getting cancer, but the obvious surivival path is to weigh the odds and make a decision from there. I really don't care if something is going to save my life, I care a lot if something is going to make me miserable for what time I have left. We are all just rolling the dice and hope we made the right decisions. 

    Denise 

  • derMaus
    derMaus Member Posts: 558 Member
    #8
    MAbound said:

    Love you dearly!

    You are such a treasure they way you keep contributing what you find and experience with all of us. Never doubt that your presence here has a big and lasting impact. You are a big reason why I keep bringing up genetic and genomic testing with new comers. The way the science keeps changing so fast is reason for hope, but it sure helps to have a group effort keeping up with it all.

    Awww....thank you, MAbound. I

    Awww....thank you, MAbound. I'm happy if anyone can benefit from my experience as a human Guinea pig...oops, I mean lucky recipient of cutting edge therapies.

  • SF73
    SF73 Member Posts: 317 Member
    #9
    Thank you for posting this,

    Thank you for posting this, derMaus. Isn't NTRK evolo58's mutation? I wonder if she is aware of this treatment. Evolo, let us know how things are going with your current treatment. 

    Hulya

  • Lulu7582
    Lulu7582 Member Posts: 112 Member
    #10
    Thanks for keeping us updated

    Yes lovely to hear of new drugs that can help in this fight with cancer! Thanks Bobbi for posting the link. I will talk to my Gyn/Onc about it next visit. Must get my genomic test out again and look to see which mutations I have. xoxo

  • Fridays Child
    Fridays Child Member Posts: 281 Member
    #11
    It is great to hear the

    It is great to hear the updates.  Maybe my insurance company will read the news and actually approve me for genomic testing.  A recurrence and metastasis after six years and now disease progression after radiaton and a LOT of chemo, but no, they don't think I need the testing, because "it won't affect my treatment or outcomes."

    Maybe what I need is a new insurance company, but I can't even change that until next year.

  • CheeseQueen57
    CheeseQueen57 Member Posts: 933 Member
    #12
    Fridays Child said:

    It is great to hear the

    It is great to hear the updates.  Maybe my insurance company will read the news and actually approve me for genomic testing.  A recurrence and metastasis after six years and now disease progression after radiaton and a LOT of chemo, but no, they don't think I need the testing, because "it won't affect my treatment or outcomes."

    Maybe what I need is a new insurance company, but I can't even change that until next year.

    Genomic testing

    Generally the testing companies are very generous and have sliding scale payment plans. If that’s an issue, you might want to contact them. And are you sure your insurance won’t pay?  Before you pay anything you might want to submit it and go through the appeal process if they deny. It’s a hassle but it’s a hassle for them too. You also could appeal to your state insurance department if they deny. I’d say it would be worth it. 

  • jan9wils
    jan9wils Member Posts: 209 Member
    #13
    Fridays Child said:

    It is great to hear the

    It is great to hear the updates.  Maybe my insurance company will read the news and actually approve me for genomic testing.  A recurrence and metastasis after six years and now disease progression after radiaton and a LOT of chemo, but no, they don't think I need the testing, because "it won't affect my treatment or outcomes."

    Maybe what I need is a new insurance company, but I can't even change that until next year.

    appeal

    Foundation One is appealing on my behalf for coverage from my insurance company. If they don't get results then I will appeal. They'll probably get tired of me!  But even if they continue to deny, I've been approved by Foundation One for 80% coverage of the testing anyway. 

  • Fridays Child
    Fridays Child Member Posts: 281 Member
    #14
    CheeseQueen57 said:

    Genomic testing

    Generally the testing companies are very generous and have sliding scale payment plans. If that’s an issue, you might want to contact them. And are you sure your insurance won’t pay?  Before you pay anything you might want to submit it and go through the appeal process if they deny. It’s a hassle but it’s a hassle for them too. You also could appeal to your state insurance department if they deny. I’d say it would be worth it. 

    Yes, I got denied

    They approved testing for microsatellite instability only.  Yes, I'm going to appeal.  So infuriating, though, and time-wasting!

  • EZLiving66
    EZLiving66 Member Posts: 1,483 Member
    edited August 2019 #15
    BluebirdOne said:

    You have to admit that if side effects kept us

    from treatment, no one would have surgery, chemo. radiation, or what ever is new today. We all roll the dice and hope we won't be the one affected. The way I see it is that I already lost the first roll by getting cancer, but the obvious surivival path is to weigh the odds and make a decision from there. I really don't care if something is going to save my life, I care a lot if something is going to make me miserable for what time I have left. We are all just rolling the dice and hope we made the right decisions. 

    Denise 

    I'm with you, Denise. Quality

    I'm with you, Denise. Quality of life is more important to me than quantity. I remember my oncologist/gynecologist arguing with my GP trying to get me to have "at least one more chemo." Thank heavens I didn't or I doubt I would still be on this earth unless it was pushing up daisies.

    That being said, I am still excited to see these new treatments with more on the horizon. I still hope that in my lifetime they will find a cure for cancer!

    Love,

    Eldri

    P.S. Bobbi, how are you doing??

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,516 Member
    #16
    MAbound said:

    Love you dearly!

    You are such a treasure they way you keep contributing what you find and experience with all of us. Never doubt that your presence here has a big and lasting impact. You are a big reason why I keep bringing up genetic and genomic testing with new comers. The way the science keeps changing so fast is reason for hope, but it sure helps to have a group effort keeping up with it all.

    Agree with you MA, I'm a

    Agree with you MA, I'm a deMaus fan too.

  • mamlicsw
    mamlicsw Member Posts: 33 Member
    #17
    derMaus said:

    Awww....thank you, MAbound. I

    Awww....thank you, MAbound. I'm happy if anyone can benefit from my experience as a human Guinea pig...oops, I mean lucky recipient of cutting edge therapies.

    Thank you so much for your

    Thank you so much for your research and sharing it with the people on this Board.  You make it so accessible!  Bless you!

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