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Immunotherapy: Keytruda (pembrolizumab)
Hi,
My name is Ina and i am writing on behalf of my dad who was diagnosed with lung cancer- adenocarcinoma 3 months ago.
I live in Washington DC and my dad lives in country Georgia.
Since I joined this forum, I learnt so many things, reading some of the stories gave me hope and I hope that I will be able share the story about my dad with positive results soon.
Since I cannot bring my dad here in the USA, I am trying to get a second opinion on the treatment that he was given. I would appreciate very much if you give me some information and advice.
After the genetics test we were told that
ROS-1, ALK were negatives but PDL1 expression is positive and MSI-is High. These results means that they can not use targeted therapy but they can use immunotherapy with chemotherapy;
Doctors advised Pembrolizumab(keytruda) 200mg+ karboplatin+ pemetrexet /ever 3 weeeks
And with pemetrexet, we mus take folic acid vitamin and B12
The treatment will be repeated every 3 weeeks and untıl 6 th cycle.
I am interested in side effect too. For how long the side effects last usually? I worry that with both Chemo and Immunotherapy every 3 weeks he wont get a break practically and the side effect being severe.
Thank you again.
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My husband just had his 14th Keytruda . He now gets more fatigued after each 3 week infusion. I figure approx 34 treatments = 2 years. I hope he agrees to continue on and take them all.
Do you have question for me!
Colleen
When I was on chemo and Keytruda, I was treated every three weeks. Now I’m just on keytruda every six weeks.
Ima,
Jo Ann from California here. I have stage 4 metastatic adenocarcinoma. I was on the exact regime they want to use on your dad, even down to the folic acid and the B vitamin and the three-week cycle. I did three rounds of that. The chemo side effects were pretty bad but I never vomited or even lost my hair! I did need fluids every few days because I found the chemo made it hard to properly hydrate. After those treatments, I’ve been getting just Keytruda (every six weeks) and bone strengthener Zometa (every four weeks) because my cancer metastasized to the bones.
I had something like 12 cancerous tumors/nodules in my lungs and nearby areas. After my first three treatments, my PET scan showed very little of the tumors were left. Most tumors were gone; one is still shrinking. I think my only side effect of Keytruda is fatigue. I wake up tired… but I’m
trying to exercise and do all my normal stuff. Some days it’s harder than others, but I actually feel pretty damn good! The protocol worked for me, I think, because my cells have a very high expression of a protein called PL-01, which works really well with Keytruda. At least that’s what I’ve been told. Doc says I’m having an “amazing” response!
My husband is doing Keytruda every 3 weeks, He had about 1.5 years to go.
Yes! Do stay positive. You are getting great results from Keytruda. (My husband did 4 rounds of chemo prior to Keytruda, he had minimal side effects - mostly just fatigue).
I did keytruda for 2 years. That’s max. Every 21 days.
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1 ReactionHow often do you have to get immunotheapy after you quit the chemo treatments?
Amen!
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1 ReactionI feel a little nervous about the uncertainty of being able to return to Keytruda treatments. As for scan schedule, my doctor has always had me on a 3 month cycle so I assume that will be her plan going forward. My next doctor visit is December 4th and I have a Brain MRI and a c/a/p ct scan prior to that visit. I hope to be more informed about the future plan after my visit.
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