Use of Erbitux with chemo/radiation treatment

unclaw2002
unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
My dad is finally engaging in his treatment - that is the good news. One thing he has become excited about are the results of clinical trials done at the University of Maryland and the use of Erbitux while undergoing chemo and radiation treatment for Esophageal cancer. http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/erbitux.htm The FDA, England and other nations have approved the use of Erbitux in various cancer treatments. Erbitux is being touted as one of the breakthrough cancer drugs of 2009. Has anyone been involved in any of the clinical trials or received the drug for the treatment of esophogeal cancer at the gastric junction? Any info you might have would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Best,
Cindy

Comments

  • Betty in Vegas
    Betty in Vegas Member Posts: 290 Member
    #2
    It sounds like your dad may be on the cutting edge
    What I read of Erbitux is fantastic. I would be very happy if Layne were offered such a thing!
  • emg09
    emg09 Member Posts: 228
    #3
    Betty in Vegas said:

    It sounds like your dad may be on the cutting edge
    What I read of Erbitux is fantastic. I would be very happy if Layne were offered such a thing!

    This is interesting!!!
    We live in Maryland and I'm going to check into this right away. I'm wondering if this is something they can use on my dad since he's stage 4 with mets to his liver. Thanks so much for sharing!!

    Erika
  • dwhite0002
    dwhite0002 Member Posts: 126 Member
    #4
    Erbitux
    My doctor special ordered Erbitux for me and it seemed to be very effective. I am 35 years old, and am a 3 year survivor. I had an esophagectomy following chemo and raidation. I was stage II, but after chemo and radiation, the tumor had virtually disappeared.

    Good luck!

    -David
    Hillsboro, OH
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #5
    Yes Cindy. My husband Tom
    Yes Cindy. My husband Tom was diagnosed with stage IV EC in mid August. He agreed to be entered in a clinical trial that used Erbitux and was chosen. He received Erbitux with two other chemos, one clisplatin and I can't remember the other one think it started with a T. He had radiation every day...chemo on Wed. and hydration on Thursday and Fridays..he started Sept 4th and ended October 9th. His endscopic ultra sound showed no tumor at all..the Pet Scan showed the one met had no activity. Since it wasn't 90 days since the end of his treatment his oncologist said..two areas not in the esophagus
    looked like inflamation. Since then he has put back all the weight he lost, close to 30 lbs...He was given an appt end of March for another CT and an appointment with his oncologist April 2. Neither of us could believe it when the endscopic ultra sound showed nothing...she put the original up on the computer next to the new scan..it was gone. She also told us that they have had excellent results with Erbitux with colon and neck and throat cancers. I feel we were blessed that he was in the arm that had Erbitux...

    jan
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #6
    oriontj said:

    Yes Cindy. My husband Tom
    Yes Cindy. My husband Tom was diagnosed with stage IV EC in mid August. He agreed to be entered in a clinical trial that used Erbitux and was chosen. He received Erbitux with two other chemos, one clisplatin and I can't remember the other one think it started with a T. He had radiation every day...chemo on Wed. and hydration on Thursday and Fridays..he started Sept 4th and ended October 9th. His endscopic ultra sound showed no tumor at all..the Pet Scan showed the one met had no activity. Since it wasn't 90 days since the end of his treatment his oncologist said..two areas not in the esophagus
    looked like inflamation. Since then he has put back all the weight he lost, close to 30 lbs...He was given an appt end of March for another CT and an appointment with his oncologist April 2. Neither of us could believe it when the endscopic ultra sound showed nothing...she put the original up on the computer next to the new scan..it was gone. She also told us that they have had excellent results with Erbitux with colon and neck and throat cancers. I feel we were blessed that he was in the arm that had Erbitux...

    jan

    Thanks for the encouraging
    Thanks for the encouraging words. Where did your husband get his treatment? The use of this drug seems to be resulting in some great results.

    Cindy
  • oriontj
    oriontj Member Posts: 375
    #7
    unclaw2002 said:

    Thanks for the encouraging
    Thanks for the encouraging words. Where did your husband get his treatment? The use of this drug seems to be resulting in some great results.

    Cindy

    University of Chicago Center
    University of Chicago Center for Advanced Medicine, Chicago, IL. It wasn't offered at our local hospital and we live 30 mins away from the U. of C. He is not eligible for surgery...so we will see in April how it has worked after 3 months...
    jan

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