Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma Antibody Study Drug

Cessily6485
Cessily6485 Member Posts: 6 Member

Hi, my name is Cessily, I am age 68 with Stage 3C Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma. I have been in a study for a new Antibody Drug:  Farletuzumab by Morphotec, Inc.  Open slots are available, now.  I qualified for the study by having C-125 below 100 and tolurated chemotherapy well in the past. I was given a standard treatment of chemotherapy 6 doses of Carboplatin & Doxil, one per month along with the study drug.  This was a focus group in a Phase II trial with earlier sucess in extending lifespans.  I have had very little side effects and live a very good quality of life during it. I am also a caretaker of an elder husband.  Thank goodness for friends and family help.

I was first diagnosed in Sept. 2013, a debulking surgery was done, removing all visible cancer.  I was lucky that none had touched organs or lymph nodes.  This followed with a stronger chemotherapy of 18 weekly doses of Carboplatin and Taxol. C-125 dropped significantly.  It was managed well with minimal side effects.  Yes, I lost all my hair, it grew back well with added waviness and the sudden change to gray (I had colored it up to that time).  

I went without more chemo for one year, and the C-125 went steadily up in that year.  With CT Scans visible 10 mm nodes appeared in four locations.  Therefore this current second year of chemotherapy.  

Last week a new node appeared in my scar, removed and biopsied as the same type of cancer.  Because of this, I was taken OFF the study.  I will continue my chemotherapy and learn of next treatments Friday.

If you qualify for this study, you may seek out a hospital doing it.  Mine was being done at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.  There are only 250 slots available nationwide, but now my place (1 of 5) is open and available.  

I expect to live beyond 5 years and am researcing HIPEC which is being done in our area from an MD Anderson Dr. It has a very high risk I have heard.  Yet, I have heard one woman has already lived 10 years after this HIPEC treatment, she was in her mid-fourties.

Live everyday to the fullest, focus on love, expect miracles and opportunities.  We are at a good time for more study drugs and options in treatments.  So much in recent years.  I am grateful for this, it gives me hope.