Anyone on Gemcitabine with Abraxane? How long? Effective?

Hello, I have heard that there are targeted therapy clinical trials out there for a BRAF mutation, but am not 100% sure, as I am not a doctor. In other words, I've heard that it is considered "potentially actionable". A qualified pancreatic cancer specialist oncologist should be able to help you find clinical trials that would be potentially helpful. Please make sure you are seeing a top research pancreatic oncologist and a major cancer center such as Sloan Kettering, Johns Hopkins, MD Anderson, Cedars, or Mayo. If you are getting care at a non-cancer center hospital, they probably won't be able to help much with clinical trials. If the mutation is actionable, it may be a positive game changer for your spouse's medical care. You can also search for clinical trials on the clinical trial government homepage or call PANCAN for help. Please do not delay this search, as it could end up being very helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Hello Susan. I just read your cousin story and was wondering if she had more then one opinion. My sister had a pancreatic cancer with tumor wrapped around celiac artery and vein. She ended up with a 16hrs surgery and is cancer free at this time. She saw Dr Corvera at UCSF. he was wonderfully. She is still recovering but so far so good. Hope it helps. Isabelle

granite,

When you say no effect re chemo regimen, do you mean no evidence of shrinkage on CT and PET scans?

As I understand, CA 19-9 is considered to be a useful adjunct when evaluating changes, but is not used as de facto evidence. Any result over 37 is considered a sign of potential cancer ... that your spouse's started at 35 and got no higher than 80 could mean the cancer was caught early?

I have a similar question. Previously fit and active 68 year old Spouse was told there was no effect from 5 months/10 infusions of Folfirinox before laparoscopic Whipple this November (several setbacks). Its pathology report showed 4/31 lymph nodes involved. Margins clear. Tumor 2.7 cm. Moderately differentiated. CA-19-9 levels went from 35 when diagnosed in April with adenocarcinoma, stayed at 80 for several months, but now has dropped to 10 while he is recovering from surgery. Told not to place too much stock in blood test. He is now walking a couple miles a day. Few digestive issues.He will resume with 6 months of Gemcitabine/Abraxane regime at end of month. Cancer type is not typical BRCA or RAS, but BRAF. Anyone with a similar history or comment on clinical targeted therapy, etc.?

My doctor doesn't do much of anything.No CTs

Hi. My cousin has been on gem/Abraxane for almost 19 months now. She takes the chemo every other week and it is keeping her tumor basically the same size or a little smaller. First they give her a steroid for nauseated. She is tolerating the gem/Abraxane very well with very few side effects. She does get tired and a little nauseous for a few days after treatment but she still has an appetite and is still working !! She is so positive and amazing. Her pancreatic cancer is stage iv and is in the tail It is non operative because it is near the vein or artery. This treatment is keeping her living her life
Sincerely Susan

OK ... given that PET is good for broad detection of fast growing cells (cancers), in many cases they then use CT for more granular assessment.

original pet scan showed cancer in 3 lymph nodes ,2nd pet scan after 4 months of abraxene and gemicide showed no cancer in lymph nodes.

pendesk,

Sorry, but I am confused. You say it is pancreatic cancer and has spread to three lymph nodes, but then say the PET scans show no spread into lymph nodes?

Here is a summary of how staging is characterized.
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/pancreatic-cancer/stages

Go to Mayo now and stop seeing that doctor - seriously. Yours sounds resectable so curable.