XALKORI (crizotinib)

Posted by 2onlow8 @2onlow8, Oct 19, 2019

I’m getting switched off of Keytruda and Alimta to targeted therapy Crizotinib. Does anyone have any experience with this? Side effects? Success/failure? I’m told I have few options available.

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Ethan McConkey, Moderator | @ethanmcconkey | Oct 20, 2019

Hi @2onlow8 here is some more information on crizotinib (Xalkori) https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/drugs/crizotinib

What has your doctor told you about this?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 9, 2019

@2onlow8 did you start Crizotinib (Xalkori)? How are you doing?

2onlow8 | @2onlow8 | Nov 9, 2019

In reply to @colleenyoung "@2onlow8 did you start Crizotinib (Xalkori)? How are you doing?" + (show)

Still working on financing extremely costly copay. Hope to start it first week in December. Stopped Keytruda and Alimta last week as they are no longer working.

janlanderz | @janlanderz | Nov 10, 2019

In reply to @2onlow8 "Still working on financing extremely costly copay. Hope to start it first week in December. Stopped..." + (show)

I was on Carboplatin and Altima... was on the combo for 5 infustions... tumors were shrinking. then they kept me on only the Altima for 7 more infusions... the tumors were still shrinking... I just found out the chemo stopped working and the tumors are growing again and few more are appearing...however...I guess they are very small... I had my first infusion of immuno therapy of nivolumab... AKA: Optivo... a few weeks ago... hope it is going to work... even though I am not doing the same drugs... I thought I would add some insight into my therapies to maybe share drug info... hope your new therapy works well for you....

2onlow8 | @2onlow8 | Nov 11, 2019

In reply to @janlanderz "I was on Carboplatin and Altima... was on the combo for 5 infustions... tumors were shrinking...." + (show)

And I, as well, hope your new treatment is effective. I start Crizotinib the first week in December. Since side effects may be disabling, my dr and I agreed it best to start after I return from a business trip to England at the end of this month. So I’m off all treatment now these past 5 weeks, for the first time since my adventure began almost 2 years ago. Sure wish my eyes and nose would stop running already!

janlanderz | @janlanderz | Nov 11, 2019

In reply to @2onlow8 "And I, as well, hope your new treatment is effective. I start Crizotinib the first week..." + (show)

Well hope the business trip goes well... that is kind of scary being off all meds... will they do another scan to see what being off all treatment does? or will they just start with the Crizotinib? Hope everything works out for you.... it is a sucky journey to be on for sure... I have my days ...

2onlow8 | @2onlow8 | Nov 11, 2019

In reply to @janlanderz "Well hope the business trip goes well... that is kind of scary being off all meds......" + (show)

I’m sure you do! They’re not going to scan again for 2-3 months. But my CEA blood marker has accurately tracked changes to my condition that PET scans always confirm. So I’ll take criz for 2 weeks and then get bloodwork...in the meantime it’s a lovely day and I feel pretty good. Hope you do too!

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 23, 2020

In reply to @2onlow8 "Been on Xalkori for 8 weeks now after being told it’s the last drug option for..." + (show)

@2onlow8- Good morning. It's been a while since we've spoken. How are you feeling? When you say "so far so good" what are you referring to? Bad side effects or reducing your cancer?

2onlow8 | @2onlow8 | Feb 23, 2020

Been on Xalkori for 8 weeks now after being told it’s the last drug option for my stage 4 NSCLC. So far so good. Does anyone have any experience with this drug that they can share?

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Feb 23, 2020

In reply to @2onlow8 "Been on Xalkori for 8 weeks now after being told it’s the last drug option for..." + (show)

@2onlow8- WHile we wait for someone to help with your questions about Xalkori I am wondering what you are doing to increase your lung capacity. It must be a relief to have found Xalkori. If I'm not mistaken Xalkori is a combo of chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Are you aware of some of these side effects below?
https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/crizotinib