Anyone currently on ARRAY-162-111 Study Drug

linandtom
linandtom Member Posts: 67
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Looking for someone who is currently or has been on this study drug.

Comments

  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #2
    question
    Hi Linandtom,

    I'm curious if you're on this treatment, or if you're just looking into it. You had sent me the PM asking about my treatment under Dr. Cantrell, but didn't say if you're on it or just looking into it. I'd be happy to answer any questions about that (I sent you a PM), but I was curious when I saw this post of yours after I sent you the PM.

    Lisa
  • linandtom
    linandtom Member Posts: 67
    #3
    lisa42 said:

    question
    Hi Linandtom,

    I'm curious if you're on this treatment, or if you're just looking into it. You had sent me the PM asking about my treatment under Dr. Cantrell, but didn't say if you're on it or just looking into it. I'd be happy to answer any questions about that (I sent you a PM), but I was curious when I saw this post of yours after I sent you the PM.

    Lisa

    Array 162-111
    Not currently on this treatment. This is one of the trials they discussed with us yesterday. Will not be able to start a new study until after the first of the year. I looked at all the paperwork for this study drug and did not like what I read. They are looking at 2-4 different phase 1 study drugs but not sure at this point if we will go there again or look for something new either here in Nashville or somewhere else. I responded to your PM this morning. We are going to talk to insurance today regarding Dr Cantrell's treatment. Not sure if they will cover any or part but worth a phone call.
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    #4
    linandtom said:

    Array 162-111
    Not currently on this treatment. This is one of the trials they discussed with us yesterday. Will not be able to start a new study until after the first of the year. I looked at all the paperwork for this study drug and did not like what I read. They are looking at 2-4 different phase 1 study drugs but not sure at this point if we will go there again or look for something new either here in Nashville or somewhere else. I responded to your PM this morning. We are going to talk to insurance today regarding Dr Cantrell's treatment. Not sure if they will cover any or part but worth a phone call.

    a bit of advice re. insurance
    Hi Linda,

    Just a bit of advice when talking to your insurance company... mine (Aetna HMO) ended up covering the interferon & I was very surprised, but pleased they did. I put it to them like this: "I'm sure you're aware of how expensive the chemo I was just on is ($30,000/month) and the interferon would be about $1,000 a month. My oncologist told me that if I weren't going on this treatment, I'd still continue on the chemo for a while. If you approve the interferon for me, I'd be saving Aetna $29,000 a month!" Interestingly, even though my onc said he was pretty sure Aetna wouldn't cover the interferon, they called me the very next day to set up for the delivery of it. I don't even have a copay for it- amazing!
    My next step is to get a reimbursement form for the Dr.'s office visits there. Dr. Cantrell won't contract with insurance companies, but he said he'll provide any needed info for filling out a reimbursement form. I have no idea if they'll consider doing it, but it can't hurt to try. By the way, the Lovastatin isn't covered for me because I don't have high cholesterol (which is what it's normally for), but the generic form of it is VERY cheap at a cash price at Walmart. My copay would be more than what I just paid cash for.
    Good luck!
    Lisa
  • linandtom
    linandtom Member Posts: 67
    #5
    lisa42 said:

    a bit of advice re. insurance
    Hi Linda,

    Just a bit of advice when talking to your insurance company... mine (Aetna HMO) ended up covering the interferon & I was very surprised, but pleased they did. I put it to them like this: "I'm sure you're aware of how expensive the chemo I was just on is ($30,000/month) and the interferon would be about $1,000 a month. My oncologist told me that if I weren't going on this treatment, I'd still continue on the chemo for a while. If you approve the interferon for me, I'd be saving Aetna $29,000 a month!" Interestingly, even though my onc said he was pretty sure Aetna wouldn't cover the interferon, they called me the very next day to set up for the delivery of it. I don't even have a copay for it- amazing!
    My next step is to get a reimbursement form for the Dr.'s office visits there. Dr. Cantrell won't contract with insurance companies, but he said he'll provide any needed info for filling out a reimbursement form. I have no idea if they'll consider doing it, but it can't hurt to try. By the way, the Lovastatin isn't covered for me because I don't have high cholesterol (which is what it's normally for), but the generic form of it is VERY cheap at a cash price at Walmart. My copay would be more than what I just paid cash for.
    Good luck!
    Lisa

    Insurance and Oncologist
    Hope you are feeling well tonight. Thanks for the insurance info - this is just what I told Tom...would cost them less than paying for the chemo. Question? Did you have any trouble getting your oncologist on board with this treatment? Will the oncologist still do your blood work, etc. I don't know what our oncologist will say about this. Our last meeting with him was not one of him offering hope or any encouragement. He even told Tom he could do nothing if he wanted and that he would do all he could to keep him comfortable! Now how's that for having a doctor offering hope and encouragement. Once Tom failed on the last phase 1 clinical trial he has not been the same towards us. Almost like he doesn't have interest in us anymore. Don't know what it is but I can say I don't like it. He's suppose to be one of the best in Nashville. Everywhere we go and when another doctor ask who our doctor is they say wow how did you get in to see him. Maybe he's just been doing this so long...I don't know but we need a doctor who will give us hope and encourage Tom not say things like this to him. I almost wanted to claw his eyes out when he said it! Been thinking about you yesterday and today. Hoping you are feeling well.

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