Old School TIL

Forums General Melanoma Community Old School TIL

  • Post
    _Paul_
    Participant

      MDA is a busy place. My God! A nurse did not come for me until an hour after my appointment. 

      I was lugging two big binders containing my medical history. I'm glad I had them because my medical history fax from SCCA was garbled. So it took another hour and a half to pour through those suckers.
       
      Finally I met with Dr. Isabella Glitza. I appreciated the way she laid out available treatment options (no, bio-chemo was not offered), and then discussed them all in light of my history.
       
      MDA also has a bunch of phase 1 trials, but no stats on their efficacy. She had a good point that I should exhaust trials first, while I am still eligible (I.e. healthy enough). Because I have failed ipi, pembro, and atezolizumab, there is doubt that the ipi-nivo combo will help.
       
      So the prioritized list came down to:
      1) Old School TIL, while I am healthy enough (although she also expressed concern that I may be resistant to immunotherapy),
      2) ipi-nivo, or
      3) some phase 1 trial.
       
      She also mentioned that if things get bad, they may be able to buy some time with a combo of chemo drugs. MDA is getting about the same response rate from them as ipi.
       
      She also discussed some real mad scientist stuff like tricking my cancer cells into exhibiting BRAF-like response and using targeted therapy to buy some time.
       
      Celeste, I forgot to ask about interlesional, but I will ask her via the MDA patient portal.
       
      – Paul
    Viewing 17 reply threads
    • Replies
        ed williams
        Participant

          Paul, what were the phase 1 trials???? Best Wishes!!!Ed

            _Paul_
            Participant

              Ed, she did not go into details since they did not have any response stats.

              _Paul_
              Participant

                Ed, she did not go into details since they did not have any response stats.

                _Paul_
                Participant

                  Ed, she did not go into details since they did not have any response stats.

                ed williams
                Participant

                  Paul, what were the phase 1 trials???? Best Wishes!!!Ed

                  ed williams
                  Participant

                    Paul, what were the phase 1 trials???? Best Wishes!!!Ed

                    JoshF
                    Participant

                      Paul-

                      yes it's a machine over there. Big place…lot going on.

                      Why would you be resistant to immunotherapy? If you have TIL product, those cells had penetrated the tumor correct? I would take that as an immune response, just not one significant enough which is why they "reset" your immune system. 

                      Our good friend Mat failed ipi and PD-1 individually but responded to the combo, I'm sure he's not only one. I just don't like that she said there's doubt on it working…not real optimistic there.

                      In regards to buying time, what is the plan after that? Treatment in pipeline?

                      Glad you had productive meeting. Also interested in mad scientist stuff!!!

                      Josh

                        _Paul_
                        Participant

                          I don't know the science behind what prompted both her and Sylvia Lee, the lead investigator of TIL in Seattle, to say the same thing. But the fact they both did is significant to me.

                          She did say there were more pathways than just the PD-1 and CTLA-4, so even if my cancer cells have developed resistance to those pathways, the TIL could kill the bastards using one of the others.

                          But it's all hand-waving guesswork. She didn't say anything was even likely, just suspicious.

                          So if I fail TIL then the next thing is the combo. Which frankly scares me more than the TIL since ipi already did such a number on me.

                          – Paul

                          JoshF
                          Participant

                            So TIL is way to go. I assume you'll do that in Seattle since that's where you have the cells. Get 10's billions of those TIL cells to beat the heck out of this crap! I'm back there in 2 weeks, be interested as to next steps for me…well that'll be dependent on scan but I think I found a new sub q's so I assume this treatment isn't my magic bullett. I hate this crap! 

                            Enjoy Lima…keep us posted!

                            Josh

                             

                            _Paul_
                            Participant

                              Crap. I know you have a solid history of finding your own sub-q's. We have to just keep trying. We have to not die long enough to find a treatment that works. I know it's possible because there are old timers among us.

                              And if we do that and the saying what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is true–well, everything after will be gravy.

                              – Paul

                              _Paul_
                              Participant

                                Crap. I know you have a solid history of finding your own sub-q's. We have to just keep trying. We have to not die long enough to find a treatment that works. I know it's possible because there are old timers among us.

                                And if we do that and the saying what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is true–well, everything after will be gravy.

                                – Paul

                                _Paul_
                                Participant

                                  Crap. I know you have a solid history of finding your own sub-q's. We have to just keep trying. We have to not die long enough to find a treatment that works. I know it's possible because there are old timers among us.

                                  And if we do that and the saying what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is true–well, everything after will be gravy.

                                  – Paul

                                  JoshF
                                  Participant

                                    So TIL is way to go. I assume you'll do that in Seattle since that's where you have the cells. Get 10's billions of those TIL cells to beat the heck out of this crap! I'm back there in 2 weeks, be interested as to next steps for me…well that'll be dependent on scan but I think I found a new sub q's so I assume this treatment isn't my magic bullett. I hate this crap! 

                                    Enjoy Lima…keep us posted!

                                    Josh

                                     

                                    JoshF
                                    Participant

                                      So TIL is way to go. I assume you'll do that in Seattle since that's where you have the cells. Get 10's billions of those TIL cells to beat the heck out of this crap! I'm back there in 2 weeks, be interested as to next steps for me…well that'll be dependent on scan but I think I found a new sub q's so I assume this treatment isn't my magic bullett. I hate this crap! 

                                      Enjoy Lima…keep us posted!

                                      Josh

                                       

                                      _Paul_
                                      Participant

                                        I don't know the science behind what prompted both her and Sylvia Lee, the lead investigator of TIL in Seattle, to say the same thing. But the fact they both did is significant to me.

                                        She did say there were more pathways than just the PD-1 and CTLA-4, so even if my cancer cells have developed resistance to those pathways, the TIL could kill the bastards using one of the others.

                                        But it's all hand-waving guesswork. She didn't say anything was even likely, just suspicious.

                                        So if I fail TIL then the next thing is the combo. Which frankly scares me more than the TIL since ipi already did such a number on me.

                                        – Paul

                                        _Paul_
                                        Participant

                                          I don't know the science behind what prompted both her and Sylvia Lee, the lead investigator of TIL in Seattle, to say the same thing. But the fact they both did is significant to me.

                                          She did say there were more pathways than just the PD-1 and CTLA-4, so even if my cancer cells have developed resistance to those pathways, the TIL could kill the bastards using one of the others.

                                          But it's all hand-waving guesswork. She didn't say anything was even likely, just suspicious.

                                          So if I fail TIL then the next thing is the combo. Which frankly scares me more than the TIL since ipi already did such a number on me.

                                          – Paul

                                        JoshF
                                        Participant

                                          Paul-

                                          yes it's a machine over there. Big place…lot going on.

                                          Why would you be resistant to immunotherapy? If you have TIL product, those cells had penetrated the tumor correct? I would take that as an immune response, just not one significant enough which is why they "reset" your immune system. 

                                          Our good friend Mat failed ipi and PD-1 individually but responded to the combo, I'm sure he's not only one. I just don't like that she said there's doubt on it working…not real optimistic there.

                                          In regards to buying time, what is the plan after that? Treatment in pipeline?

                                          Glad you had productive meeting. Also interested in mad scientist stuff!!!

                                          Josh

                                          JoshF
                                          Participant

                                            Paul-

                                            yes it's a machine over there. Big place…lot going on.

                                            Why would you be resistant to immunotherapy? If you have TIL product, those cells had penetrated the tumor correct? I would take that as an immune response, just not one significant enough which is why they "reset" your immune system. 

                                            Our good friend Mat failed ipi and PD-1 individually but responded to the combo, I'm sure he's not only one. I just don't like that she said there's doubt on it working…not real optimistic there.

                                            In regards to buying time, what is the plan after that? Treatment in pipeline?

                                            Glad you had productive meeting. Also interested in mad scientist stuff!!!

                                            Josh

                                            Mat
                                            Participant

                                              Paul, I think you have a good plan.  TIL or the combo seem like better options than a Phase I trial where dosage isn't settled.  I'd ask them to elaborate on the logic that the treatments might not work since you've failed ipi and pembro individually–just a hunch or demonstrated in clinical experience?

                                                _Paul_
                                                Participant

                                                  I specifically asked her that and she said she doesn't have any data yet. And it was specifically in regard to the ipi/nivo combo, not the other phase 1 treatments in general. I am the one that has become wary of phase-1 treatments given that there is no clinical response data and (anecdotally) because of what happened to my disease during the brief 6 weeks I was on the OX-40/atezolizumab trial.

                                                  _Paul_
                                                  Participant

                                                    I specifically asked her that and she said she doesn't have any data yet. And it was specifically in regard to the ipi/nivo combo, not the other phase 1 treatments in general. I am the one that has become wary of phase-1 treatments given that there is no clinical response data and (anecdotally) because of what happened to my disease during the brief 6 weeks I was on the OX-40/atezolizumab trial.

                                                    _Paul_
                                                    Participant

                                                      I specifically asked her that and she said she doesn't have any data yet. And it was specifically in regard to the ipi/nivo combo, not the other phase 1 treatments in general. I am the one that has become wary of phase-1 treatments given that there is no clinical response data and (anecdotally) because of what happened to my disease during the brief 6 weeks I was on the OX-40/atezolizumab trial.

                                                    Mat
                                                    Participant

                                                      Paul, I think you have a good plan.  TIL or the combo seem like better options than a Phase I trial where dosage isn't settled.  I'd ask them to elaborate on the logic that the treatments might not work since you've failed ipi and pembro individually–just a hunch or demonstrated in clinical experience?

                                                      Mat
                                                      Participant

                                                        Paul, I think you have a good plan.  TIL or the combo seem like better options than a Phase I trial where dosage isn't settled.  I'd ask them to elaborate on the logic that the treatments might not work since you've failed ipi and pembro individually–just a hunch or demonstrated in clinical experience?

                                                        Bubbles
                                                        Participant

                                                          Hey guys. All my favorite boys – all in one place! No worries about the intralesionals, Paul. Those big institutions have so much going on, rapid fire….when you're not cooling your heels in a small room…by yourself…forever! Then suddenly you've got all this info coming at you….  Anyhow, I'm glad you plowed your way through it. You might still ask your questions through the portal. But, bottom line – if you feel you got a good plan…go for it. Big hugs for all you guys! C

                                                            _Paul_
                                                            Participant

                                                              Thanks Celeste, and thanks for the encouragement!

                                                              _Paul_
                                                              Participant

                                                                Thanks Celeste, and thanks for the encouragement!

                                                                _Paul_
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Thanks Celeste, and thanks for the encouragement!

                                                                Bubbles
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Hey guys. All my favorite boys – all in one place! No worries about the intralesionals, Paul. Those big institutions have so much going on, rapid fire….when you're not cooling your heels in a small room…by yourself…forever! Then suddenly you've got all this info coming at you….  Anyhow, I'm glad you plowed your way through it. You might still ask your questions through the portal. But, bottom line – if you feel you got a good plan…go for it. Big hugs for all you guys! C

                                                                  Bubbles
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    Hey guys. All my favorite boys – all in one place! No worries about the intralesionals, Paul. Those big institutions have so much going on, rapid fire….when you're not cooling your heels in a small room…by yourself…forever! Then suddenly you've got all this info coming at you….  Anyhow, I'm glad you plowed your way through it. You might still ask your questions through the portal. But, bottom line – if you feel you got a good plan…go for it. Big hugs for all you guys! C

                                                                    Polymath
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Hi Paul,

                                                                      Regarding intralesional therapies, I still don't understand why T-Vec is so rarely mentioned in this forum.  It's FDA approved and appears to be a standard of care option for those with sub-q's. I even had it insurance approved for me even though live virus culture would need to be flown into my state, and it's likely it has never been administered here before.  My specialist had recommended it since I have also failed just about every treatment although the ipi/nivo/radiation bought me about a year of stability (after failing both as single agents) , and I am now moving to surgical resection to eliminate stubborn tumors. Best in the battle.

                                                                      Gary

                                                                       

                                                                        _Paul_
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Gary, I recall that is is best for early stage patients. Take a look at:

                                                                          https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4519012/.

                                                                          Near the end of the abstract it says:

                                                                          "Despite these promising results, responses have been uncommon in patients with visceral metastases. T-VEC is currently being evaluated in combination with other immune therapies (ipilimumab and pembrolizumab) with early signs of activity".

                                                                          – Paul

                                                                          _Paul_
                                                                          Participant

                                                                            Gary, I recall that is is best for early stage patients. Take a look at:

                                                                            https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4519012/.

                                                                            Near the end of the abstract it says:

                                                                            "Despite these promising results, responses have been uncommon in patients with visceral metastases. T-VEC is currently being evaluated in combination with other immune therapies (ipilimumab and pembrolizumab) with early signs of activity".

                                                                            – Paul

                                                                            _Paul_
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Gary, I recall that is is best for early stage patients. Take a look at:

                                                                              https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4519012/.

                                                                              Near the end of the abstract it says:

                                                                              "Despite these promising results, responses have been uncommon in patients with visceral metastases. T-VEC is currently being evaluated in combination with other immune therapies (ipilimumab and pembrolizumab) with early signs of activity".

                                                                              – Paul

                                                                            Polymath
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Hi Paul,

                                                                              Regarding intralesional therapies, I still don't understand why T-Vec is so rarely mentioned in this forum.  It's FDA approved and appears to be a standard of care option for those with sub-q's. I even had it insurance approved for me even though live virus culture would need to be flown into my state, and it's likely it has never been administered here before.  My specialist had recommended it since I have also failed just about every treatment although the ipi/nivo/radiation bought me about a year of stability (after failing both as single agents) , and I am now moving to surgical resection to eliminate stubborn tumors. Best in the battle.

                                                                              Gary

                                                                               

                                                                              Polymath
                                                                              Participant

                                                                                Hi Paul,

                                                                                Regarding intralesional therapies, I still don't understand why T-Vec is so rarely mentioned in this forum.  It's FDA approved and appears to be a standard of care option for those with sub-q's. I even had it insurance approved for me even though live virus culture would need to be flown into my state, and it's likely it has never been administered here before.  My specialist had recommended it since I have also failed just about every treatment although the ipi/nivo/radiation bought me about a year of stability (after failing both as single agents) , and I am now moving to surgical resection to eliminate stubborn tumors. Best in the battle.

                                                                                Gary

                                                                                 

                                                                                ed williams
                                                                                Participant

                                                                                  Hi Paul, I came across this one today and thought it might be something to think about latter on. Trial keynote 252 epacadostat (IDO) inhibitor plus pembro. Here is a link with Dr. Hamid http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/online/%7B36107d74-e514-4719-86cc-f5a58ef2c91c%7D/video-research-into-immunotherapy-combinations-makes-great-strides-at-esmo?utm_source=maestro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=hematology oncology news   Best Wishes!!!!!Ed

                                                                                    _Paul_
                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                      Thanks Ed, that was quite an informative video. What I found encouraging is that he is talking about promising phase 1 trials moving forward to phase 3. That's what I would really like to see. Some solid phase 3 data about the response rate so that we can make better decisions based on data, not just on how something "sounds".

                                                                                      – Paul

                                                                                      _Paul_
                                                                                      Participant

                                                                                        Thanks Ed, that was quite an informative video. What I found encouraging is that he is talking about promising phase 1 trials moving forward to phase 3. That's what I would really like to see. Some solid phase 3 data about the response rate so that we can make better decisions based on data, not just on how something "sounds".

                                                                                        – Paul

                                                                                        _Paul_
                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                          Thanks Ed, that was quite an informative video. What I found encouraging is that he is talking about promising phase 1 trials moving forward to phase 3. That's what I would really like to see. Some solid phase 3 data about the response rate so that we can make better decisions based on data, not just on how something "sounds".

                                                                                          – Paul

                                                                                        ed williams
                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                          Hi Paul, I came across this one today and thought it might be something to think about latter on. Trial keynote 252 epacadostat (IDO) inhibitor plus pembro. Here is a link with Dr. Hamid http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/online/%7B36107d74-e514-4719-86cc-f5a58ef2c91c%7D/video-research-into-immunotherapy-combinations-makes-great-strides-at-esmo?utm_source=maestro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=hematology oncology news   Best Wishes!!!!!Ed

                                                                                          ed williams
                                                                                          Participant

                                                                                            Hi Paul, I came across this one today and thought it might be something to think about latter on. Trial keynote 252 epacadostat (IDO) inhibitor plus pembro. Here is a link with Dr. Hamid http://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/online/%7B36107d74-e514-4719-86cc-f5a58ef2c91c%7D/video-research-into-immunotherapy-combinations-makes-great-strides-at-esmo?utm_source=maestro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=hematology oncology news   Best Wishes!!!!!Ed

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