Starting immunotherapy Keytruda

@cglover47, It's so hard to know how our bodies will react to any treatment. These treatments are powerful, and have life-saving potential for many, and come with significantly serious side effects for some. It's scary. Have you discussed your concerns with your oncologist or one of the nurses in the office? When is the molecular testing expected to be back?

@lls8000
Met with the PC yesterday in the absence of the oncologist, we were hopeful the Signatera test would be back w/positive. Still a wait and see and could be another couple of weeks, plus the oncologist will be out of country until 11/6. Previously, the oncologist recommended starting treatments based on the biopsy results following surgery and begin short term, when I’m ready. Blood work is good, feeling good with still some lingering fatigue, but improving. We went over all the possible side effects etc. I’m getting a Peace about starting now. My wife supports either way, start now or wait.

@lls8000

The Signatera results are expected in 1-2 weeks. First submission didn’t include enough tissue. Decided to go ahead with the first Keytruda treatment this coming Tuesday. Went over all the aftereffects w/PA. I have a PEACE about going forward. Ty

I’ve had 8 treatments so far and I’ve been blessed with no side effects. I’m scheduled for 4 more treatments. I must say after 4 treatments, one half of one of my lesions disappeared.
Good luck to you.

My husband has had 24 treatments - 1.5 yrs, Scans have been negative. Just started having Keytruda caused ailments. We think next Keytruda will be his last,

Hello @cglover47 , It's so frustrating when there's not enough tissue. That's happened to me before too. Then we went to a blood biopsy to get wat we needed.
Are you still waiting on the signatera results? How are you feeling after the Keytruda treatment?

@lls8000
Feeling very well following the first Keytruda treatment. No real issue side effects.
Still waiting on the Signatera test results. Ty

I completed (5) rounds of radiation and (4) rounds of chemo which finished up 9/30. I’m now starting Keytruda 400 immunotherapy every 6 weeks for the foreseeable future to further reduce remaining tumors. The Keytruda has been part of the chemo cocktail since 7/29 and following each treatment I have gi 🤢issues for 3-4days but it’s worth it. My Pet scan of 10/20 showed (8) of (10) tumors have reduced to < 6mm in size from >2.7cm SUV 6.2. I’ll take a few days of discomfort for those kinda results.

@lls8000 jumping back in about the biomarker blood tests. Do you have your results yet? They can zero in a specific drug to fight the beast if you’re lucky. Mine, not so much. No FDA approved therapy so far so Keytruda to fight mNSCLC or what’s left of it in C3 neck and liver lesions post chemo. Hopefully you get good news as well. The side effects of Keytruda are cumulative so I’m cautiously optimistic for you as well. Keep the faith DgA

Hi @dave56pa , I think you meant this reply for @cglover47. Checking on the biomarker results.

I do have one of the mutations that are treatable with a targeted therapy. (ALK positive, taking alectinib for five years)