Now picture this… You are diagnosed with some type of cancer;
let’s say it’s Mantle Cell Lymphoma… What
happens next? You are prescribed a pill that will take care of this condition.
It is very likely that the medication you take for this will be something you
take for the rest of your LONG life…
Now, how cool would that be?
Today I was at the John Theurer Cancer Center a Hackensack
University Medical Center to meet with Dr. Goy and to learn about what
treatment options were available to me. Our meeting started with Dr. Goy
saying; “Had a slight relapse? No big deal”. He followed with a quick examination,
reviewing the reports, dictating into his mini recorder at the speed of light…
and yes with his famous French accent. We then had time to chat about the study.
Here are some of the study’s highlights:
The title of the study is:
A Phase 2, Multicenter, Single-Arm Study to Evaluate the
Efficacy and Safety of Single-Agent Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) Inhibitor, Ibrutinib, in
Subjects with Mantle Cell Lymphoma Who Progress after Bortezomib Therapy.
Ibrutinib (PCI-32765) is an experimental drug that is being
tested to see if it may be useful in treating relapsed/refractory (where the
disease has come back) Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). It is a new drug also known
as a ‘Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor’. This is an experimental drug
that blocks an enzyme that affects how the lymphocytes grow and survive. Blocking
this enzyme is a very important mechanism in killing cancer cells. In this
study, Ibrutinib is tested to see if it may be useful in subjects with MCL,
which has come back after previous treatment, but at the same time, it is being
tested in other studies, in other illnesses.
Early indications show that the Ibrutinib has been very
effective with few to no side effects. Other than taking the doses on a consistent
schedule each day and having periodic checkups, it certainly seems that people
being treated with this drug are seeing awesome results and at the same time
are able to live their lives with little to no disruption.
All I could say to that is… WOW! Where do I sign?
As you could imagine, Dr. Goy has had many requests to
participate in this study. Knowing this Dr. Goy made sure he reserved me a spot
in the study for me. I am so blessed to have a doctor who is truly looking out
for me.
So, what’s next? I have to go through a few tests before I
begin treatments. Tomorrow I will have a PET Scan and a EKG. On Friday, March
15th I will have a MUGA Scan and a Bone Marrow Biopsy.
Once this is all done I will be ready for Ibrutinib.
Concurrent with the study treatments we will also begin
planning for a Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant. Although this is not part of
the study, Dr. Goy would like to move in this direction once the Ibrutinib completely
annihilates my Mantle Cell Lymphoma. I will be getting a call from the transplant
team over the next few days to get a better understanding of this.
After today I am feeling extremely positive and encouraged.
Could Ibrutinib be the drug that simply
gets prescribed to us when we are diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma? Will it
turn our cancer diagnoses into a non-event? I truly pray that this is the case.
"Jesus
said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you; not as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
More to come…
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
8 comments:
God bless you. I just treated Mantel cell lymphoma and got cell transplant 2 months ago, still recovery stage, took 7 months treatment at Detroit Karmanos Cancer Center. They also told me that medication you talking about when it come back but usually they say still 2 more years need for FDA approval, i heard from one of the news is already approved. anyway, good luck to you. Arden
Check out the following, I think Ibrutinib is being fast tracked for MCL.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/PCI-32765/322086574489620?fref=ts
Good news Rich - this is a journey we have to take!
Rich, Thanks for sharing your journey. I am almost one year free and clear of MCL but am a realist about relapse. My doc is cautiously optimistic (sometimes she is cautiously exuberant) about all of the treatment options in the works. I hope whatever they throw at you does the trick and keep on bloggin/!
Arden,
Thank You and best wishes for your health.
From what i heard, Ibrutinib is still not generally available for treatments but it is getting closer.
Thanks again,
Rich
Hi Alan,
As Always... Thanks for everything.
Rich
Hey Jeff,
It is always best to live life like all is good. Certainly life is way too short to waste time worrying. But I will say that it is also great to know that if something was to come up that the tools are in place to deal with it. Medical advances get more amazing each day. Today there is Ibrutinib, tomorrow... who knows.
If you do relapse I am sure there will be a great treatment available that will get you back to full health quickly.
Thank You and be well,
Rich
Hello everyone and anyone. My father was recently (2 weeks ago) diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. He is seeing doctors and getting all of his tests done before starting treatment next week (April 30, 2013). I need some help. He has expressed interest in speaking with people who have had this type of cancer and survived it or even still battling it. He is 72 years old and looks 55. Well not now, of course, but still has a lot of life left in him. He is seeing Dr. Goy in NJ. He likes him and keeps a very positive attitude about this upcoming battle. I just want him to get connected with people who have gone through this. If anyone can help please email me at onewayprojects@yahoo.com. My name is Tony. I appreciate any help we can get. Thank you.
Hi Tony,
If I am guessing correctly, I believe that I had a nice conversation with your sister Nicole today. I, most certainly, am willing to speak with your father, you or anyone else in your family about my experience with MCL and Dr. Goy. I will say that, as you may have noticed from this blog, I think the world of Dr. Goy and feel that your dad will be in excellent hands if he decides to have Dr. Goy treat him.
If you want to contact me directly, please feel free to email me at: RichFranco317@gmail.com or call me at 973-222-9250.
I am currently on a business trip but if I am unable to answer I will get back to you ASAP.
After my chat with Nicole, I have already added you dad to my prayer.
God Bless,
Rich
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