Finishing Interferon treatment, is it worth it?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Finishing Interferon treatment, is it worth it?

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    • March 13, 2017 at 10:46 pm
    nicolepfeil
    Participant

      My husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma that was located on his arm and in Lympnodes under his arm pit, His option at this point was to start Interferon 5 days a week for 4 weeks, then radiation, then an additional 11 months of Interferon 3 days a week.

      We were told how horrible this treatment would be but decided to try.  

      After one week he was pulled off of the treatment because it was affecting his liver,  He will be starting again in 2 days and at this point we are wondering if it is worth it.  He is so sick, he cannot leave bed  and is wondering if the 5% chance is worth losing a year lying in bed,

      I am wondering if there is anyone on here that has completed the year long treatment, or any opinions on this treatment in general?

      I realize everyone is different but as newbies to this diagnosis I am hoping to get any advice that is out there, 

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        • March 13, 2017 at 11:31 pm
        SABKLYN
        Participant

          In many cancer centers here n the states, interferon is no longer the standard of care.  The improved wurvivability is marginal.  There may be other stage 3 alternatives available.  I had my lymphnode dissection and followed it up with a clear nical trial.  I turned down interferon and participated as n a clinical trial.  I don't know if ipi is available as an adjuvant therapy for stage 3.  You may want to ask after all the available alternatives and then come up with your game plan.  Good luck!

            • March 14, 2017 at 12:12 am
            nicolepfeil
            Participant

              Thank you, what is the drug that is used instead of Inteferon in the US?

              • March 14, 2017 at 12:19 am
              jennunicorn
              Participant

                Ipilimumab (Yervoy), referred to mostly as Ipi on here is the newest FDA approved for stage 3. Others, like Nivolumab (Opdivo) and Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) are in clinical trials now testing for stage 3. 

              • March 14, 2017 at 12:08 am
              jennunicorn
              Participant

                Here is an article explaining that Interferon is not any better than observation. Meaning, someone can choose to do Interferon, but there is little to no benefit and will make the patient feel very sick for a year. That's a whole year of wasted time not feeling good.

                http://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/melanoma/induction-therapy-confers-no-additional-survival-benefit-for-intermediate-risk-melanoma/article/635136/

                I assume you're in Canada, since in the states Ipi would have been the more likely adjuvant treatment offered. There are some clinical trials in Canada testing the newer and more effective immunotherapy drugs which would be the only other good option besides observation for adjuvant treatment.

                • March 14, 2017 at 12:18 am
                ed williams
                Participant

                  Hi Nicolepfeil, I am going to give you a video from fall of 2016 at ESMO which is one of the big get togethers of Oncologist in Europe. Dr. Weber from New York at present is the host and he is a world leader in the field of Melanoma. There are some trials out there that are comparing different drugs (ipi, pembro and Interferon) for stage 3 patients, with the help of your Oncology team this would probably be the best direction to go. Interferon is discussed in the video but mostly it talks about Ipilimumab or Ipi as most people refer to it. What was your husbands stage? 3c, 3b or 3a. Here is the link and don't be shy to ask for more advice, it is a very steep learning curve at the start. Oh by the way, I have the pleasure of doing Interferon back in 2012 and by the end of the high dose part my wife was ready to kill me, the drug can do a number on your personally and leads to depression for a high # of patients. Best wishes!!!Ed http://www.onclive.com/peer-exchange/melanoma5-malignant/adjuvant-therapy-for-melanoma the second link is to a reported for Toronto talking about his experiences with Interferon. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/niall-mcgee-didnt-believe-in-depression-until-cancer-meds-put-him-in-a-suicidal-spiral/article24660218/

                  • March 14, 2017 at 5:07 am
                  UBContributor
                  Participant

                    I have been on this forum since late Nov 2016 reading and learning. My impression is patients now are given several other options, but not interferon. I was even explained by a person who had interferon few years back that they wouldn't have gotten it if it was now, i.e. 2017. 

                      • March 14, 2017 at 12:49 pm
                      NSNewf
                      Participant

                        I am also from Canada and I am waiting for my path from neck dissection. My oncologist has informed me that Health Canada will only allow HDI for Stage 3. IPI and Pembro are only available at Stage 4 unless a trial is available. For me I won't take HDI. 

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