Connect
How many of you are getting the VLAR Labs Vesta test prior to BCG?
I am reading that while BCG is the gold standard for NMIBC it is only 40% effective for the masses.
I learned of this testing through a member of the forum - thank you. I am curious as to how many are asking for this test and the results. My specimen /bio marker revealed (taken from TURBT sent by my care team to VLAR Labs) that I am not likely to receive any benefit from the BCG treatment.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.
Connect
@dopps Sending well wishes and yes hope it works.
Thank you very much. I had one session so far with no side effects. I'm hoping it works!
@dopps
Respectfully suggest your doctors keep up with current advances. The Valar assay has been validated on over 1000 patients, but work is still being done to cover a wider cohort. (Univ of Iowa).
Best wishes.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy local urologist did the Vesta test on me and he said that I had a biomarker that suggested only a 40% chance of BCG success. Instead, I went to Mayo and just prior to my second TURBT I asked the surgeon about the Vesta biomarker finding that said I would fail the BCG, which had happened. The surgeon said that there has not been enough research conducted to validate the likelihood of BCG failure due to the biomarker. I'm in the second round of BCG and hope it works this time. I believe in the Mayo medical team and am following their treatment plans for me.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThe Vesta test for Ta, high risk, NIMBC has been highly validated with over 1000 patients in 12 cancer centers. See valarlabs.com for references.
Good luck with your continuing BCG treatment. I sincerely hope it works this time.
Best wishes.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@kevinpm
I am going by biomarker and doing gem/doce
I had two treatments last year and it went away but had too many women problems so had to stop
I have received the results of the Valar Labs Vesta test, based on my pathology sample from March of this year. I don't have the BCG-predict biomarker, which indicates I will likely have a typical response to BCG treatment, according to Valar. I am presently diagnosed with NMIBC w/CIS, pT1. The test further predicts that I have an estimated 52% risk of high grade recurrence compared to the baseline risk of 40% at 3 years; and, an estimated 8% risk of muscle invasive progression, compared to the baseline risk of 10% at 3 years. So, a mixed bag of predictions, but I view it as more positive than negative. I shared the test results with my doctor at Mayo Clinic - Rochester, and my doctor at the Buffett Cancer Center in Omaha (an NCI center where I am currently receiving BCG treatments). My experience with the BCG treatments this time around is different than the first time in 2024. The side effects are more pronounced, in particular the fatigue. I'll know more after the first six treatments are finished and I have the cystoscopy at "half-time" in August. Best wishes to all of my fellow-travelers on this journey.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@djr5, how many rounds of BCG have you had so far this time? How are you doing?
@colleenyoung Hi, Colleen - I've received four out of the first six instillations and will be done on July 3rd. If the cystoscopy in mid-August is not NED, then I will receive six more. I'm doing pretty well, overall, just more fatigued that during the first and second go-rounds in 2024 and 2025. I hope that you, too, are doing well.