Allergic reaction to Paclitaxel on first day adjuvant chemo

Posted by bjsdls @bjsdls, Feb 9 7:56am

An ultrasound in July found a tumour in my lower right lung lobe which led to a lobectomy on Nov 1, confirming ardinocarcinoma Stage 2a.
In January we agree to do adjuvant chemo with 4 cycles using Paclitaxel and Carboplatin. That would likely be followed with a year of immunotherapy.
Yesterday was day 1 of the first cycle and I had an allergic reaction to the Paclitaxel within 10-15 minutes. Sweats, chills, nausea and then a serious drop in blood pressure. So an epipen was followed with two more injections of epinephrine. I was being told repeatedly to keep my eyes open and there was a team of about 8 people there keeping watch.
So no more Paclitaxel.
The next complication comes with finally getting the Biomarkers: KRAS with G12A. « This mutation is predictive of reduced responsiveness to anti-EGFR therapies and prognostic for inferior outcome compared to tumours without KRAS mutation »
I am starting the Carboplatin later today and looking for advice on where to from here and if anyone has any experiences with any of this to share. Do I continue with chemo with only one drug? Is there a safe substitution fore the Paclitaxel? Is there an immunotherapy that works the the KRAS biomarker?
I feel lost again and moving backwards instead of forward. 24 hours ago, I felt strong and positive about the path we had chosen. Today I’m not sure I have a path forward.
I’ve learned so much from this group. Hoping your wisdom and experience can relate to this.
Thanks from a tired, impatient patient.

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Hi @bjsdls, Wow, you had quite the day! There are others here with KRAS, but they may not be G12A, such as @layala18, @nsclckrasg12v. KRAS has traditionally been difficult to treat with a targeted therapy (oral medications), I'm not aware of treatments beyond chemo for G12A, but I'm certainly NOT an expert. While we want you to continue to share your story on Mayo Connect, there is a Facebook group specific for KRAS that may be helpful too (https://www.facebook.com/groups/kraskickers).
Has your oncologist recommended any changes to your treatment plan, knowing now that KRAS G12A is driving the cancer?

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Thanks for your response. My treatment has been changed to Carboplatin only for 4 cycles, then re-evaluate. I had my first treatment yesterday without incident and am not suffering too badly today. Weak, drowsy, a bit achy but no nausea. Thanks for the Facebook tip. I am looking for ways to learn more about this from others. Knowledge is power and has to go together with the science.

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