Any successful experiences with GemAbrax after awful side effects?

Posted by ashleyshields @ashleyshields, Mar 24 2:37pm

My dad was diagnosed 12/20/2024 with Stage 2 Adenocarcinoma Pancreatic Cancer. We were told originally it was only 2cm and he was the perfect candidate for a whipple, but his oncologist wanted to do 6 rounds of Folfirinox first. After begging and pleading for an updated scan (his CA-19 markers were always UNDER 30) I just wanted to be sure it was actually shrinking the tumor. The scan showed a new met on the liver, also adenocarcinoma, bumping him to Stage IV and tabling the whipple convo for the time being. We've switched oncologists + consulted with Mayo Jacksonville and they want to move forward with GemAbrax. Has anyone had success with this treatment shrinking/eliminating mets? He's only had one round of it so far and we wound up in the ER that night because his fever spiked to 105, lots of vomiting and severe pain. That was 2 weeks ago, and he still isn't back to his usual self, whereas on the Folfirinox, he was acting completely normal. You'd have no idea anything was wrong. Now, he's barely eating, barely drinking, already on all the pain meds, just miserable. Does this get better??? Is the first round just that hard on some people? Looking for any and all insight and advice.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 5 2:48pm

@ashleyshields, just checking in. How is your dad doing? How are you doing?

ashleyshields | @ashleyshields | Apr 21 9:28am

In reply to @colleenyoung "@ashleyshields, just checking in. How is your dad doing? How are you doing?" + (show)

I apologize for just seeing this! He's doing okay. He's on a 2 week on, 1 week of cycle schedule for the G-A-C, and he's in the middle of cycle #4. Oncologist is hoping to do a scan next week, so praying for good results. His CA-19-9 this past Friday was 37.

Main struggles right now is he gets pretty dizzy, so he's mostly in a wheelchair for now. He's a very Type-A, most be go, go, going type of person and always has been, so the constant sleeping/laying around is really doing a number on him, mentally, in addition to everything else. We go back to Mayo Jax in June so I'm praying for some solid news!

davyjohn | @davyjohn | Apr 24 10:57am

My Son who is 55, diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarinoma in November 2024 was told he isn’t a surgical candidate either because he has peritoneal cancer?? He started chemotherapy With Folfirinox regimine. He has had 8 treatments with 2 week intervals. The treatments have given him increased neuropathy, increased falls, low blood levels and increased levels of fatigue that interfere with his quality of life. He has had the treatment revised 3 times and now his C19-9 which was almost 10,000 went down to 485 after aggressive treatment. Since going down on his treatment levels, his C19-9 is climbing again. He is at the point of stopping treatment but I’m wondering should he try another doctor or is this just the course of his disease.

markymarkfl | @markymarkfl | Apr 24 10:48pm

You could inquire about HIPEC or this trial in Houston: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05922930

Best wishes!

gracect | @gracect | Apr 25 8:37am

In reply to @davyjohn "My Son who is 55, diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarinoma in November 2024 was told he..." + (show)

Don’t give up ! Usually they will try another regimen of chemo drugs. Or, if he has a KRAS mutation or ATM mutation or other genetic mutation there are many, many trials. Hopefully he is at a pancreatic center of excellence - it makes a huge difference !

davyjohn | @davyjohn | Apr 25 9:29am

Thank you for the response. My Son is at a hospital affiliated cancer treatment center. The nearest large facility would be Mayo in Minnesota. I’m thinking he should try them, but he has never been a fan of Western medicine so sometimes it’s hard to convince him of things. He claims if it is his time to go, then he has no busy interfering 🥺 He has put all his affairs in place and I think it’s me and the kids who are not ready to accept. I’ve told him I would honor his wishes and decision, and I will, but it still seems I should do more for him. Thank you for listening and responding. Sometimes it helps to share with another who is or has gone through this or similar.

jadees | @jadees | Apr 26 12:35pm

In reply to @davyjohn "Thank you for the response. My Son is at a hospital affiliated cancer treatment center. The..." + (show)

I am so sad to read what you are going through. Sounds like your son is making sure all is in order . He is blessed to have you with him supporting yet Im sure so difficult to stand back in your supportive role. This is truly his decision, although Id want to be sure he is making an educated decision . Has he spoken about this with his Medical team. and then spoken with his children and you in an honest discussion? My heart goes out to you in your role, this is so difficult to live in

ashleyshields | @ashleyshields | May 1 1:17pm

Just wanted to post a quick update - currently awaiting scan results for my dad. Last scan was mid-Feb, when we learned it had spread to the liver. As of last week, his CA-19.9 was 37, which I recognize is low given the stats, but is also the highest it's ever been for him. He's lost around 75lbs, and is mostly wheelchair-bound now due to weakness and frequent falls. Hoping and praying these scans show some improvement.

marienewland | @mnewland99 | May 2 9:35am

In reply to @markymarkfl "You could inquire about HIPEC or this trial in Houston: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05922930 Best wishes!" + (show)

Have you considered HIPEC?
What do you know about it? If my new growth is peritoneal, then I’m considering getting it. Also, I recently learned that the drug they did the CLD18.2 was approved by FDA in December 2024 - Zolbetuximab.

hbt1465 | @hbt1465 | May 2 12:44pm

In reply to @davyjohn "Thank you for the response. My Son is at a hospital affiliated cancer treatment center. The..." + (show)

I have pancreatic cancer diagnosed on September 2023 and it traveled to my liver, the Doctor want me to have chemotherapy but I stay away from it and go to different treatments and now it have some improved specially I control eating. For a while I just eat brown rice and sesame seed with little salt and chew it for a long time until it like water before swallow it and now I can it a little bit more outside my comfort zone but stay away from red meat specially sweet and grease stuff.
I am sorry for my English but I wish to help somebody what I have been through.