My doc wants me to do this at MDA What do you think?

A thread just started about this over on MIF

http://forum.melanomainternational.org/mif/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=36276

I would think it wouldn't be first choice but it has worked for some.  Charlie S.

https://www.melanoma.org/find-support/patient-community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/charlie-29-melanoma-zero

Haven't heard from him in a while, hope he is still with us.

Rob

A thread just started about this over on MIF

http://forum.melanomainternational.org/mif/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=36276

I would think it wouldn't be first choice but it has worked for some.  Charlie S.

https://www.melanoma.org/find-support/patient-community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/charlie-29-melanoma-zero

Haven't heard from him in a while, hope he is still with us.

Rob

A thread just started about this over on MIF

http://forum.melanomainternational.org/mif/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=36276

I would think it wouldn't be first choice but it has worked for some.  Charlie S.

https://www.melanoma.org/find-support/patient-community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/charlie-29-melanoma-zero

Haven't heard from him in a while, hope he is still with us.

Rob

I did see this at MIF and responded to it there as well. There are too many questions I have regarding this study. My choice to opt in or out would depend on a number of factors. I am currently stage IV NED after Pembro…. soooo anything I might take into consideration for this trial would be from a purely hypothetical standpoint anyway. 

What stage are you? III or IV? That would be my first place to begin. Other than that, here were the additional questions I had in my reply at MIF…….

"I find so many things perplexing about this trial. Perhaps I'm not adept at understanding the way these are written, but the study is listed as: "A Phase III Randomized Trial of Physician/Patient Choice". How is it randomized if it is "physician/patient choice"? Is this because the interferon OR Ipi arm is blind and random? If so, I believe I'd be pouncing on that Pembro as my personal first option. Are they possibly shooting for giving more Stage III patients an opportunity for treatment with Pembro rather than Interferon first? Is it to allow for easier approval of PD-L1 response biomarker testing in patients? And is this coordinator not the same Dr. Patel of melanoma oncology at MD Anderson? This seems like information that an institution such as hers would already have access to with the Interferon vs Ipi trials occurring back in 2011. Not only would I have a PILE of questions for my personal oncologist, but I suppose I would have to inquire directly with Dr. Patel and Dr. Grossmann as to what their thought process is behind launching this study. I'm so confused, and I've had two cups of coffee this morning! "

You can also find more info on this trial here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02506153?term=NCT02506153&rank=1

ASK QUESTIONS and be informed. Doctors typically have your best interest at heart, but they also have research work to do and trials to fill… soooooo… be sure you are comfortable with any decisions made. 

I did see this at MIF and responded to it there as well. There are too many questions I have regarding this study. My choice to opt in or out would depend on a number of factors. I am currently stage IV NED after Pembro…. soooo anything I might take into consideration for this trial would be from a purely hypothetical standpoint anyway. 

What stage are you? III or IV? That would be my first place to begin. Other than that, here were the additional questions I had in my reply at MIF…….

"I find so many things perplexing about this trial. Perhaps I'm not adept at understanding the way these are written, but the study is listed as: "A Phase III Randomized Trial of Physician/Patient Choice". How is it randomized if it is "physician/patient choice"? Is this because the interferon OR Ipi arm is blind and random? If so, I believe I'd be pouncing on that Pembro as my personal first option. Are they possibly shooting for giving more Stage III patients an opportunity for treatment with Pembro rather than Interferon first? Is it to allow for easier approval of PD-L1 response biomarker testing in patients? And is this coordinator not the same Dr. Patel of melanoma oncology at MD Anderson? This seems like information that an institution such as hers would already have access to with the Interferon vs Ipi trials occurring back in 2011. Not only would I have a PILE of questions for my personal oncologist, but I suppose I would have to inquire directly with Dr. Patel and Dr. Grossmann as to what their thought process is behind launching this study. I'm so confused, and I've had two cups of coffee this morning! "

You can also find more info on this trial here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02506153?term=NCT02506153&rank=1

ASK QUESTIONS and be informed. Doctors typically have your best interest at heart, but they also have research work to do and trials to fill… soooooo… be sure you are comfortable with any decisions made. 

I did see this at MIF and responded to it there as well. There are too many questions I have regarding this study. My choice to opt in or out would depend on a number of factors. I am currently stage IV NED after Pembro…. soooo anything I might take into consideration for this trial would be from a purely hypothetical standpoint anyway. 

What stage are you? III or IV? That would be my first place to begin. Other than that, here were the additional questions I had in my reply at MIF…….

"I find so many things perplexing about this trial. Perhaps I'm not adept at understanding the way these are written, but the study is listed as: "A Phase III Randomized Trial of Physician/Patient Choice". How is it randomized if it is "physician/patient choice"? Is this because the interferon OR Ipi arm is blind and random? If so, I believe I'd be pouncing on that Pembro as my personal first option. Are they possibly shooting for giving more Stage III patients an opportunity for treatment with Pembro rather than Interferon first? Is it to allow for easier approval of PD-L1 response biomarker testing in patients? And is this coordinator not the same Dr. Patel of melanoma oncology at MD Anderson? This seems like information that an institution such as hers would already have access to with the Interferon vs Ipi trials occurring back in 2011. Not only would I have a PILE of questions for my personal oncologist, but I suppose I would have to inquire directly with Dr. Patel and Dr. Grossmann as to what their thought process is behind launching this study. I'm so confused, and I've had two cups of coffee this morning! "

You can also find more info on this trial here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02506153?term=NCT02506153&rank=1

ASK QUESTIONS and be informed. Doctors typically have your best interest at heart, but they also have research work to do and trials to fill… soooooo… be sure you are comfortable with any decisions made. 

Hi JPG, another way to look at swog (s1404) is that the Melanoma field is attempting to get better treatments for stage 3 patients. Many patients probably feel that Pd-1 drugs will be a better drug for stage 3 patients because of the success in stage 4. Without the trials and data we can't tell for sure. I am not an expert in trials and your Oncologist will be your best resource as long as they are up to date (Melanoma specialist is preferred path). Best Wishes!!!Ed

Hi JPG, another way to look at swog (s1404) is that the Melanoma field is attempting to get better treatments for stage 3 patients. Many patients probably feel that Pd-1 drugs will be a better drug for stage 3 patients because of the success in stage 4. Without the trials and data we can't tell for sure. I am not an expert in trials and your Oncologist will be your best resource as long as they are up to date (Melanoma specialist is preferred path). Best Wishes!!!Ed

Hi JPG, another way to look at swog (s1404) is that the Melanoma field is attempting to get better treatments for stage 3 patients. Many patients probably feel that Pd-1 drugs will be a better drug for stage 3 patients because of the success in stage 4. Without the trials and data we can't tell for sure. I am not an expert in trials and your Oncologist will be your best resource as long as they are up to date (Melanoma specialist is preferred path). Best Wishes!!!Ed