Possible to get Keytruda or Opdivo as a firstline treatment before Yervoy?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Possible to get Keytruda or Opdivo as a firstline treatment before Yervoy?

  • Post
    • April 22, 2015 at 1:03 am
    Jeffreyd
    Participant

      Hi All – First time posting here. I have stage IV melanoma that's spread to the brain and liver. I've done TIL therapy at NCI and have been on Dabrafenib/Trametinib for about 7 months. I'm planning to start Yervoy soon but would really prefer to do an anti Pd-1 (Keytruda or Opdivo) first if I could. 

      Does anyone have experience getting insurance to pay for Keytruda or Opdivo before Yervoy? I understand it may be easier now with the NCCN guidelines and with the new studies coming out this week in the NEJM. Any suggestions?

      Thanks!!!

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    • Replies
        • April 22, 2015 at 1:16 pm
        mary1233
        Participant

          I had this discussion with my oncologist at Sloan. The only way to get PD-1 as a first line therapy at this point is to get enrolled in a clinical trial, and there are many of them going on now. They are also doing trials on ipi and PD-1 combined and the results that are being announced currently are astounding.

          Your best bet is to get your treatment at a major cancer center who does research. They know the available trials and the doctors all communicate with each other.

          Best wishes.

          Mary

          • April 22, 2015 at 1:16 pm
          mary1233
          Participant

            I had this discussion with my oncologist at Sloan. The only way to get PD-1 as a first line therapy at this point is to get enrolled in a clinical trial, and there are many of them going on now. They are also doing trials on ipi and PD-1 combined and the results that are being announced currently are astounding.

            Your best bet is to get your treatment at a major cancer center who does research. They know the available trials and the doctors all communicate with each other.

            Best wishes.

            Mary

            • April 22, 2015 at 1:16 pm
            mary1233
            Participant

              I had this discussion with my oncologist at Sloan. The only way to get PD-1 as a first line therapy at this point is to get enrolled in a clinical trial, and there are many of them going on now. They are also doing trials on ipi and PD-1 combined and the results that are being announced currently are astounding.

              Your best bet is to get your treatment at a major cancer center who does research. They know the available trials and the doctors all communicate with each other.

              Best wishes.

              Mary

              • April 22, 2015 at 4:24 pm
              Julie in SoCal
              Participant

                Hi Jeff,

                I am currently on Pembro off label.  I am stage 3c unresectable and BRAF+. I've failed Ipi, but I haven't taken a BRAF drug. My insurance company does not pay for Pembro, but I qualify for their assistance plan.  This took a bit of doing, but it might work for you. Just another possible option.

                Blessings,

                Julie

                • April 22, 2015 at 4:24 pm
                Julie in SoCal
                Participant

                  Hi Jeff,

                  I am currently on Pembro off label.  I am stage 3c unresectable and BRAF+. I've failed Ipi, but I haven't taken a BRAF drug. My insurance company does not pay for Pembro, but I qualify for their assistance plan.  This took a bit of doing, but it might work for you. Just another possible option.

                  Blessings,

                  Julie

                  • April 22, 2015 at 4:24 pm
                  Julie in SoCal
                  Participant

                    Hi Jeff,

                    I am currently on Pembro off label.  I am stage 3c unresectable and BRAF+. I've failed Ipi, but I haven't taken a BRAF drug. My insurance company does not pay for Pembro, but I qualify for their assistance plan.  This took a bit of doing, but it might work for you. Just another possible option.

                    Blessings,

                    Julie

                    • April 23, 2015 at 3:35 am
                    Kev in LA
                    Participant

                      I had my first ever melanoma treatment today and it was Keytruda. Docs sent Anthem my pathology report, pet/ct scan results and requested Keytruda as the first line treatment and Anthem approved it.

                      • April 23, 2015 at 3:35 am
                      Kev in LA
                      Participant

                        I had my first ever melanoma treatment today and it was Keytruda. Docs sent Anthem my pathology report, pet/ct scan results and requested Keytruda as the first line treatment and Anthem approved it.

                        • April 23, 2015 at 3:35 am
                        Kev in LA
                        Participant

                          I had my first ever melanoma treatment today and it was Keytruda. Docs sent Anthem my pathology report, pet/ct scan results and requested Keytruda as the first line treatment and Anthem approved it.

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