Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Posted by lighthouse68 @lighthouse68, Aug 12, 2018

Is it advisable to use CBD and/or THC Oil to try and shrink my tumors. I have stage 4, metastatic, non-small lung cancer. I read on study that suggests it cuts in half the efficacy of the Keytruda. Any thoughts?

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@ina3

@lighthouse68 Can you please share your experience with Keytruda? Did you do it together with chemo? For how long did you use it? Thanks.

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Please post an update, as I am about to add Keytryda for same condition.

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@lisamb

I was wondering if anyone is on alectinib for stage 4 metastatic non-small cell lung cancer? I have a family member who has been on it since July of this year and has responded very well to this therapy drug.

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@lisamb - is this a chemo or immunotherapy drug?? And what kind of non small cell lung cancer?? I myself have stage IV with high pdl1 protien adenocarcinoma

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@merpreb

@robin47- Welcome to Mayo Connect. I am not sure why your post was not answered in December. I just received it. I apologize for this oversight.
I'm so sorry that your dad is going through this. It must be very very difficult to feel so helpless. Are you his main caretaker? I am a lung cancer survivor but I never had immunotherapy. What type of lung cancer does he have? Small cell (SCLC) or non-small cell (NSCLC)?
I think that you can google Opdivo and see the side effects and how to avoid some of them, if your dad experiences them.
https://www.opdivo.com/

There is some research that indicates that CBD oil interferes with immunotherapy. And as you know, the use of CBD oil and how it interacts with other drugs is far from giving us definitive answers.
- https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/general-oncology/cannabis-reduces-immunotherapy-response/article/688059/
- https://oncologypro.esmo.org/Meeting-Resources/ESMO-2017-Congress/The-effect-of-cannabis-use-on-tumor-response-to-Nivolumab-in-patients-with-advanced-malignancies
- https://www.medicaljane.com/2014/08/28/study-cannabinoids-may-increase-lung-cancers-susceptibilty-to-specialized-killer-cells/

The ultimate decision will be up to your dad. Have you asked him about this? What does he want to do? As a cancer survivor of 21 years (NSCLC) I can tell you that unless a cancer patient can not answer questions all decisions should be made by the cancer patient. It is his/her power. I'm sure that you know this.
Please get back to me and let me know if what your dad's decision is. My best, Merry

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@robin47 @merpreb I’ve been getting Keytruda for 1 month. I’ve been taking CBD for 4 months, it seems to very slightly help with the neuropathy in my feet, fingers. After checking Merry’s VERY helpful links here I will now stop the CBD. Thank you both!

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My brother has adenocarcinoma nonsmall lung cancer stage IV. Alectinib is a targeted therapy. He has ALK positive gene. He continues to do well and his scans show a lot of improvements.

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