Anyone have experience with OPDIVO?

Ingrid this new is SO interesting!!  When I saw the ad for this drug on the commercials I emailed BMS to thank them because they called out those who participated in the trials, and I am so greatful for these wonderful people who participate.  

Please let us know how it goes for you!

pinky104 said:

Kvdyson

I also have had skin cancer, but it was just a basal cell carcinoma (my husband had the melanoma).  I don't recall what year mine was, but I'd say it was somewhere between 2005 and 2007.  My family physician I had back then stopped practicing medicine and I turned my records over to my new and current physician, but not all of my records were kept.  My stage IVb UPSC was found in May, 2010.  I've also had a couple of actinic keratoses, which, if I hadn't had them removed, could have eventually turned into melanomas.  The last one was about 6 months after chemo.  My dermatologist warned me that I was at a higher risk for skin cancer because of having gone through chemo.  There's less immunity during chemo, he said, so you should be especially vigilant to watch for its return. 

I was one of those fair-skinned people who was always burning my skin to a crisp trying to get a tan when I was a teenager (when we didn't know better back in the 60's).  One time my skin peeled off in chunks that were almost as hard as fingernails.  I'm sure that's why I got my skin cancer.   

Pinky104, I go to my dermatologist every 2 years for check-ups now. I had biopsies on two suspicious growths this March but they were both non-cancersous.

I have an olive skin tone so I never really burned when I has a kid. The malignant melanoma was in the inside of my upper right arm - not a place that ever even gets sunlight on it unless I raise my arm over my head.

It also didn't look like a melanoma at all. It was the same color as my regular skin and perfectly round. The only reasons I even went to have it looked at was because it itched and then I noticed that it was getting bigger. The dermatologist was SUPER surprised when the biopsy came back. He was in a panic when he called to tell me the news. Thankfully, the surgery to remove a large area around the growth was the only treatment necessary.

I'll be so interested in watching the Opdivo/Keytruda trials to see if they indicate some link between the treatment of the two cancers.

Ocalagal99 said:

Had my first OPDIVO infusion today.  So far so good.
My onc tells me that one of the reasons Bristol-Myers approved me for the free treatments is that they are working on finding out if it works also for Uterine mets and I was the perfect candidate with chemo/radiation/chemo already done and generally in good health, except for the chemo/radiation side effects that are still lingering.
So now it's a waiting game.  Will get 5 more treatments, two weeks apart and then another scan to see.  He also says it takes at least 3 months to see changes and even if one stops treatment the beneficial effects continue on.
Keeping fingers crossed!

I'm sending lots and lots of positive energy your way! I hope the side effects are minimal and that this works for you. And, what a great gift to the rest of us as well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Ocalagal99 said:

Hi, Cathy, thanks for your encouragement.

I was dx with Stage 3C Endomentrial Cancer in the Uterus in Nov. '13.  Had radical hystorectomy by DaVinci removal and it was felt that all had been removed.  Treatment of a sandwich was ordered with Carbo/Taxil, radiation, and another round of Carbo/Taxil which did not happen as I did not tolerate the Carbo well.  Hormone therapy after that for 6 month which did nothing and lymph nodes in my abdomen had become involved.  More radiation to take care of that.  My marker went down during that and then started rising.  So the only option available at that time ('14) was Doxil which was recommended by Moffitt in Tampa.  We did 9 rounds of that and that stopped working.  By this time there had been good results with Opdivo for other cancers, including Pres. Carter's who received a similar drug, so that's when my onc suggested Opdivo if we could get Bristol-Myers to approve me since it has not yet been approved by the FDA for my cancer.  It recently received limited approval for some types of colon cancer also.
My onc told me that he felt sure that they wanted the information they could get from me for their studies so it's FREE.  It's very, very expensive and Medicare/Insurance won't cover it as of now.
It is given every 2 weeks for  treatments and then another scan to see how, and if, it works.  They have had good results with it in other cancers and my onc is using it on a variety of people now. Next week will be my second treatment.  No appreciable side effects so far.  Will keep updating!

Fascinating. I also have IIIC and amo on 3rd week of weekly Taxol with every 3rd week Carbo. Praying for response but good to know there's another option should it re-occur. Thanks for providing solid hope. 

I just had my 5th infusion.  No real side effects but then again I am still dealing with side effects from the two clinical trials I waS in.  I got in via a compassionate approval from the drug manufacturer and FDA.  No cost. 

Here is hoping!  Anne

Hi Anne, When will you know if Opdivo is working for you?

I can't even imagine how hard it is for your body to mend from all of the other chemos that it had to endure. Glad to see you felt well enough to post though. I hope your strength continues to improve so that you can get back to a normal life. I truly have missed you.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

AWK said:

I am being treated with Opdivo.

I just had my 5th infusion.  No real side effects but then again I am still dealing with side effects from the two clinical trials I waS in.  I got in via a compassionate approval from the drug manufacturer and FDA.  No cost. 

Here is hoping!  Anne

Anne!  It is so go to hear from you!!!  Please let us know how you are doing.