KRAS Gene & Erbitux - questions

donnare
donnare Member Posts: 266
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone!

So, we are here for treatment number 10 today. They stopped the oxi - he had a reaction last time (hives, nausea), and his fingertips stayed numb this time. Brian saw the onc and she said he does not have the kras gene, it was a good thing, and that down the road they may use erbitux.

Couple questions again:
Does not getting the oxi affect the effectiveness of FOLFOX? He is happy not to get it but should we be concerned? Is no KRAS gene really a good thing? How bad is the erbitux?

Thanks, I always appreciate the answers, info, etc., I get here, and it helps so much when we speak to the onc.

You are all in my prayers,
Donna

Comments

  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #2
    hi
    I think most of us get a
    hi

    I think most of us get a reduction in oxy then have it cut totally before reaching 12 treatments. Mine was totally cut out after #8. The way it was explained is that at that point the negatives of continuing out way the positives. And that FOLFOX was the cc drug of choice for years before oxy was added- that I would still be getting known cc treatments, only now with out the drug that would kick me to the gutter. Looking back? It was the happiest day of my chemo days. To lose oxy made me cry tears of joy. Everything after that was doable and winnable!
  • donnare
    donnare Member Posts: 266
    #3
    Patteee said:

    hi
    I think most of us get a
    hi

    I think most of us get a reduction in oxy then have it cut totally before reaching 12 treatments. Mine was totally cut out after #8. The way it was explained is that at that point the negatives of continuing out way the positives. And that FOLFOX was the cc drug of choice for years before oxy was added- that I would still be getting known cc treatments, only now with out the drug that would kick me to the gutter. Looking back? It was the happiest day of my chemo days. To lose oxy made me cry tears of joy. Everything after that was doable and winnable!

    Hi Patteee
    Thanks for your reply.

    I remember reading that most people don't get the full 12 with oxy. It is amazing how much better he feels without it. Usually, by this time, he is feeling pretty "eh", but this round without the oxy, with the exception of the pump, is almost like no chemo at all. He is really happy not to have gotten it and hopes it is gone for good.

    Do you know anything about the KRAS gene - onc says it is a good thing he doesn't have it.

    Have a great day!!
    Thanks,
    Donna
  • fringetree
    fringetree Member Posts: 65
    #4
    donnare said:

    Hi Patteee
    Thanks for your reply.

    I remember reading that most people don't get the full 12 with oxy. It is amazing how much better he feels without it. Usually, by this time, he is feeling pretty "eh", but this round without the oxy, with the exception of the pump, is almost like no chemo at all. He is really happy not to have gotten it and hopes it is gone for good.

    Do you know anything about the KRAS gene - onc says it is a good thing he doesn't have it.

    Have a great day!!
    Thanks,
    Donna

    It is a good thing!
    So, everyone has a KRAS gene, the question is, is it mutated or not. It sounds like your husband's is NOT mutated (also called "wild type"). This really is a good thing, because there are some targeted drugs (Erbitux and Vectibix) that only work on the wild-type KRAS gene. So, it means there are more options on the table!
  • fringetree
    fringetree Member Posts: 65
    #5
    fringetree said:

    It is a good thing!
    So, everyone has a KRAS gene, the question is, is it mutated or not. It sounds like your husband's is NOT mutated (also called "wild type"). This really is a good thing, because there are some targeted drugs (Erbitux and Vectibix) that only work on the wild-type KRAS gene. So, it means there are more options on the table!

    faux pas
    Sorry if I assumed incorrectly that Brian is your husband!
  • cyndi2324
    cyndi2324 Member Posts: 72
    #6
    K-ras
    Yes everyone has k-ras gene. You can have a normal gene (this is good) or you can hve a mutated k-ras (wild type) some drugs work, or mutated k-ras (mutant type) SOL like me.
    Thank God his is normal.
    I wish you the very best on this tough journey.
    Cyndi
  • jen58
    jen58 Member Posts: 34
    #7
    Patteee said:

    hi
    I think most of us get a
    hi

    I think most of us get a reduction in oxy then have it cut totally before reaching 12 treatments. Mine was totally cut out after #8. The way it was explained is that at that point the negatives of continuing out way the positives. And that FOLFOX was the cc drug of choice for years before oxy was added- that I would still be getting known cc treatments, only now with out the drug that would kick me to the gutter. Looking back? It was the happiest day of my chemo days. To lose oxy made me cry tears of joy. Everything after that was doable and winnable!

    incorrect info
    actually there is no FOLFOX, without oxi -- it's just FOLF

    my husband's onc just told us on monday that the combo of FOLF was basically ineffective until oxi was added and that it wasn't used as treatment, except in comfort care, until 2002
  • donnare
    donnare Member Posts: 266
    #8
    fringetree said:

    faux pas
    Sorry if I assumed incorrectly that Brian is your husband!

    no problem, Brian is my
    no problem, Brian is my husband. Thanks for your reply and the info!
  • donnare
    donnare Member Posts: 266
    #9
    cyndi2324 said:

    K-ras
    Yes everyone has k-ras gene. You can have a normal gene (this is good) or you can hve a mutated k-ras (wild type) some drugs work, or mutated k-ras (mutant type) SOL like me.
    Thank God his is normal.
    I wish you the very best on this tough journey.
    Cyndi

    Thanks Cyndi - I wish you
    Thanks Cyndi - I wish you the best also. It is a tough jouney, but the one bright spot is this board and the wonderful people here.

    Be well Cyndi,
    Donna
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #10
    KRAS and oxy
    Everyone has a KRAS gene. The question is if it is Wild (normal) or mutated. Drugs like Erbitux don't work on mutated. So my guess is his is wild.

    As for oxy, my onc told me yesterday that he really wants me to stick it out for four months at full dose - four more rounds - if there is any way I can. If I want to stop or reduce at that point, he will. The studies have shown that the biggest benefit from Oxy is in the first 4 months (8tx). And it is a significant benefit. Since he made it through 9, I wouldn't worry about not getting it any more. Enjoy the easier treatments!

    So we are doing other things to try to get me through the oxy. Lengthening infusion time. Benadryl as a pre-med, and again at the end of the oxy. I take ALA supplements. They give me Calcium and Magnesium at the start and finish of the oxy. I'm 50% through with oxy (if I want to stop after 8), and 1/3 through with FOLFOX!
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #11
    jen58 said:

    incorrect info
    actually there is no FOLFOX, without oxi -- it's just FOLF

    my husband's onc just told us on monday that the combo of FOLF was basically ineffective until oxi was added and that it wasn't used as treatment, except in comfort care, until 2002

    sorry- my chemo old brain
    sorry- my chemo old brain sometimes short circuits. 5FU, leucovorin and oxaliplatin = FOLFOX and I actually without the oxaliplatin just called it, "my chemo drugs without the oxi".

    Two different oncologist, two different answers/opinions? Mine actually said that he had no problems taking away the oxi, that I had had enough, 8/12. And that I would continue taking 5FU and leucovorin because this drug had been used for years in cc (1990s?) and there was some coninued benefit to be gained from it. From what your oncologist said, it makes no sense to continue taking the 5FU and leucovorin after the oxi is dropped. And most, if not all of us finish out the 12 treatments with just 5FU and leucovorin. So why do we do it?
  • eric38
    eric38 Member Posts: 583
    #12
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    KRAS and oxy
    Everyone has a KRAS gene. The question is if it is Wild (normal) or mutated. Drugs like Erbitux don't work on mutated. So my guess is his is wild.

    As for oxy, my onc told me yesterday that he really wants me to stick it out for four months at full dose - four more rounds - if there is any way I can. If I want to stop or reduce at that point, he will. The studies have shown that the biggest benefit from Oxy is in the first 4 months (8tx). And it is a significant benefit. Since he made it through 9, I wouldn't worry about not getting it any more. Enjoy the easier treatments!

    So we are doing other things to try to get me through the oxy. Lengthening infusion time. Benadryl as a pre-med, and again at the end of the oxy. I take ALA supplements. They give me Calcium and Magnesium at the start and finish of the oxy. I'm 50% through with oxy (if I want to stop after 8), and 1/3 through with FOLFOX!

    Erbitux - Love and hate relationship.
    As with everything, reactions to erbitux vary by the individual. My reaction started off with my face burning like it was on fire and then I broke out with sores primarily to the chest and face area. Then the facial sores just became a red rash and the symptoms became more mild until I had been on the drug a little longer. After more time on erbitux the sores crept back up and started to spread to the stomach and legs. The sores on my right leg became infected and the whole thing swelled up. I am now off of erbitux and have permanent red marks on my leg. Granted, this was probably a severe reaction and your body may not have te same reaction. The good news is that the erbitux combined with chemo therapy worked beautifully and the cancer was in major regression when I had my first check up pet scan.

    Eric
  • KATE58
    KATE58 Member Posts: 299
    #13
    eric38 said:

    Erbitux - Love and hate relationship.
    As with everything, reactions to erbitux vary by the individual. My reaction started off with my face burning like it was on fire and then I broke out with sores primarily to the chest and face area. Then the facial sores just became a red rash and the symptoms became more mild until I had been on the drug a little longer. After more time on erbitux the sores crept back up and started to spread to the stomach and legs. The sores on my right leg became infected and the whole thing swelled up. I am now off of erbitux and have permanent red marks on my leg. Granted, this was probably a severe reaction and your body may not have te same reaction. The good news is that the erbitux combined with chemo therapy worked beautifully and the cancer was in major regression when I had my first check up pet scan.

    Eric

    I had the same reaction to
    I had the same reaction to erbitux.
    I really disliked that stuff

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