Hurray, another option!

After being told his current doctors were out of ideas, my dad visited Huntsman on Monday.

First we met with the genetic counselors.​ They feel it’s unlikely dad’s cancer is the hereditary type, but will be testing the tumor anyway just to make sure. This is good news, since it means my sister and I should have only the normal risk factors for getting this cancer. Hurray!

Next we met with the oncology fellow and the clinical research director. They are proposing a clinical trial for dad. The clinical trial involves two medications that are approved and used to treat cancer already. However, they haven’t been tested and approved for use together. The trial they want to pursue is a stage 1 clinical trial, which means it is the first time this combination of drugs is being used on humans (only 10 people so far). They have seen promising results and are really excited about the possiblities this treatment offers. I pray it's successful and can provide hope for thousands of others who have exhausted the current treatment options.

The reason they are proposing this trial for dad is because one of the drugs is a “cousin” of Erbitux, which seemed to stall the growth of the tumors. This is how I understand it …Hopefully I got it right. Tumors have “receptors” that extend out. These gather “food” for the tumor. Erbitux (and its cousin) attach to the receptors and stop the food from getting to the tumor. Therefore it can’t grow, and in a lot of cases shrinks. However, once the tumor realizes what’s happening, it pulls the receptors in. That is why Erbitux stops working at some point. So, the trial is testing the use of a drug which makes the tumor extend the receptors again and the cousin of Erbitux attaches to the receptors and stops the food supply. There’s a lot more to it of course, but that’s the gist.

Since it's not chemo, the only two side effects noted are a rash and the "nuisance factor”. Because it’s a phase 1 trial, dad will have to be in Salt Lake City for at least 3-4 week, possibly up to 8 weeks (we'll all take turns staying with him). He would need to spend lots of time at Huntsman being “observed” (I keep picture him sitting in a glass enclosed room with doctors watching him...LOL) and they need to administer the drugs there. If after the 8 weeks, they see indicators that the treatment is helping him, he can return home and continue taking it (under current onc's care) for as long as it’s working and he’s not having too many problems. He goes back on Aug. 2nd for testing to ensure he's eligible.

The other thing they mentioned is that they may be able to do something (surgery/pi​ns) to help stabilize his hip. This would help with his pain and mobility. So, when dad goes in on the 2nd, he will also meet with an orthopedic oncologist/​surgeon and find out what the options are there.

I'm so relieved that there are people willing to help him keep up his fight as long as he's willing.

Today we're leaving for a week's vacation all together! (my parents, my family and my sister's family). It's awesome to have this opportunity to spend time together and keep making memories we'll cherish forever.

Thanks again everyone for the wishes and prayers. Looks like they did the trick again!

...Danialle