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Boost to Immunotherapy in Gynecological Cancers
I have a form of ovarian cancer for which I am currently receiving Keytruda, among other things. Last week MD Anderson and the University of Florida reported that there is good evidence that Covid Mrna shots greatly improved the immune response of lung cancer and melanoma patients taking Keytruda. Those who received the shots within 100 days of starting immunotherapy lived nearly twice as long as those who didn’t. The theories advanced suggested to me that the same positive immune response might occur for those with gynecological tumors who are given Keytruda and get a Covid shot (Mrna). My cancer doctor agreed and thought the 100 day cutoff was immaterial. I had been dragging my feet about repeating the vaccine, but to me it was worth the chance that a Covid shot would greatly improve my response to immunotherapy. I got it last week and will be interested to see if my numbers improve. I am curious—did anyone else taking Keytruda see the same report and make the same decision? I don’t
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Thanks for calling our attention to this. If I had seen this when I was taking Keytruda (or any similar drug), I definitely would have gotten a Covid shot.
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2 ReactionsI saw the same study and have been on Keytruda for metastatic endometrial cancer, too late for the 100 days. I got my COVID booster in September and it was the strongest response I have had. I am glad I did the COVID and flu shot a week apart. Crossing my fingers that I get the same bump as the study.
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3 ReactionsI read in one of the reports that the enhanced response to Keytruda was generated because of the Mrna platform. If so, that raises the question of whether other Mrna vaccines (I think at least some of the RSV vaccines are Mrna vaccines) could also generate the same response. If anyone has any knowledge on these issues, I would be very interested in your take!
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2 ReactionsI am being treated at MD Anderson and was on Keytruda. They did not suggest that I take the Covid shot. I don't believe the study was done on gynecologic cancers.
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2 ReactionsHi, lv. Yes, you are correct. The study was done on lung and skin cancers. But the underlying theory is that covid vaccines sensitize cancerous tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitors such as Keytruda, making them much more effective. Some might think that is worth getting a covid shot if they are on Keytruda and have a solid tumor cancer, such as ovarian cancer.
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5 Reactions@juliea55 Thank you for sharing this information with us.
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1 ReactionI saw that article too! I decided it was worth a try. So I had a covid shot 4 or 5 days after my first Keytruda infusion. I had a really strong reaction to the shot, which I am hoping is a good sign that it ramped up my immune system.
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1 ReactionI hope it works for you Kristi! Yesterday for the first time my Signatera test came back negative for microscopic cancer. A miracle for me. I have to wonder if the Covid vaccine helped push me over the goal line when added to the Keytruda. Now I am wondering whether I should go ahead and get the RSV vaccine, which I think is also an MRNA vaccine.
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1 Reaction@juliea55 That's amazing! And good thought about the RSV vaccine. I suppose it doesn't hurt to try! I wonder if there is an advantage to spacing them out a bit?
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1 ReactionThat was my thought as well. So I figure I’ll wait another month or two. Plus I think I (we) qualify for a second Covid shot six months after the first. I am considering that as well. My clinical trial calls for two years of Keytruda so I want to keep boosting it as best I can.
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