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Looking for Clinical Trial for MRD (min. resid. disease) Immunotherapy

Posted by bethf @bethf, Mar 24, 2023

I have been NED for 10 months following a Whipple (2021) and chemo (Folfirinox). In January, tumor markers rose and ctDNA because positive (after being negative for about a year). My doctor and I felt I was a very good candidate for the ELI-002 immunotherapy trial here in Denver, but there are no openings for participants, either in Denver or at any of the other 10 sites around the country.
I wondered if any of you, including Colleen, could tell me of any immunotherapy or targeted therapy Clinical Trials in the US for people who are MRD? Most trials only accept people with Stage 4, (tumors or metastases). Please let me know if you have any leads and contact information for such trials. Thanks, Beth

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patti303 | @patti303 | Mar 25, 2023

I tried to get in on that trial several weeks ago at the UCLA location, but didn't qualify as I don't produce a CA19-9 response. It's the only trial I've seen for residual DNA for lower stage tumors or monitoring. Arghhh, frustrating isn't it? I sure hope they can find a slot for you.

You mentioned your ctDNA markers. May I ask, is that from your CA19-9 biomarker or from one of the newer liquid biopsies such as Natera's Signatera or something completely different? I had the same chemo regimen, but my tumor was in the tail and I'm also looking for some way to monitor ctDNA. As luck would have it, Natera has had problems with my tumor samples.

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bethf | @bethf | Mar 25, 2023

Thanks for writing. The CTDNA is the newer Natera /Signatera one that you mentioned. I had two of them last year and they were both negative but the one I had in January turned positive. I also have the CA 19-9 elevations, so I think I would qualify but they said they didn't have any slots. Was there a slot available for you if you had qualified? It would be helpful to know if UCLA had any slots available. Thanks for writing and good luck with getting your tumor sample tested.

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patti303 | @patti303 | Mar 26, 2023

Thanks for letting me know you are using the Natera/Signatera test. Yes, there was an opening at UCLA at the time. I just checked and they still show as "recruiting" for KRAS pancreatic tumors and KRAS/NRAS tumors at NIH. Have you tried calling the locations directly? That's what I did, but it took more than one call to talk with someone. I've found these types of facilities can be short staffed in terms of phone answering. Let us know how it works out for you.

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bethf | @bethf | Mar 27, 2023
In reply to @patti303 "Thanks for letting me know you are using the Natera/Signatera test. Yes, there was an opening..." + (show)
@patti303

Thanks for letting me know you are using the Natera/Signatera test. Yes, there was an opening at UCLA at the time. I just checked and they still show as "recruiting" for KRAS pancreatic tumors and KRAS/NRAS tumors at NIH. Have you tried calling the locations directly? That's what I did, but it took more than one call to talk with someone. I've found these types of facilities can be short staffed in terms of phone answering. Let us know how it works out for you.

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Will do. Thanks for the advice. Yeah

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