IPI / Debrafenib (or Zelboraf) / MEK Inhibitor / Radiation combination

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  • Post
    • August 25, 2013 at 9:18 pm
    shansmith110
    Participant

      Hi out there,

      Wondering if anyone has had experience with concurrently taking IPI, Debrafenib (or Zelboraf) and an MEK inhibitor?  My father is about to take his final (4th) dose of IPI next week, but he has 5 new brain mets, and doctor is probably recommending starting on Debrafenib and MEK inhibitor.  Doctors are weighing the option of having him take last dose of IPI.  

      Hi out there,

      Wondering if anyone has had experience with concurrently taking IPI, Debrafenib (or Zelboraf) and an MEK inhibitor?  My father is about to take his final (4th) dose of IPI next week, but he has 5 new brain mets, and doctor is probably recommending starting on Debrafenib and MEK inhibitor.  Doctors are weighing the option of having him take last dose of IPI.  

      He is currently in hospital due to pituitary gland damage from the IPI, and extreme pain in his hip (probably from arthritis).  His hormone levels seem to be leveling off as of yesterday, so is fairly a-symptomatic now.

      I have read of extreme liver toxicity with IPI / Zelboraf combo, but don't see much other documentation.  

      Any advice or experience welcome.  We are very happy with my father's doctors, and are confortable with his recommendations, but interested in as much information as possible.

      Thank you very much.

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 25, 2013 at 10:39 pm
        POW
        Participant

          A clinical trial was started last year giving ipi and zelboraf at the same time. As I guess you know, they stopped the trial early becaue of too many severe side effects, including liver toxicity. The recommendation at that time was to stop Zelboarf, wait 30 days, and then start ipi. I don't know what the recommendation is if you take ipi first. How long to wait after ipi and before Zelboraf I don't know.

          • August 25, 2013 at 10:39 pm
          POW
          Participant

            A clinical trial was started last year giving ipi and zelboraf at the same time. As I guess you know, they stopped the trial early becaue of too many severe side effects, including liver toxicity. The recommendation at that time was to stop Zelboarf, wait 30 days, and then start ipi. I don't know what the recommendation is if you take ipi first. How long to wait after ipi and before Zelboraf I don't know.

            • August 25, 2013 at 10:39 pm
            POW
            Participant

              A clinical trial was started last year giving ipi and zelboraf at the same time. As I guess you know, they stopped the trial early becaue of too many severe side effects, including liver toxicity. The recommendation at that time was to stop Zelboarf, wait 30 days, and then start ipi. I don't know what the recommendation is if you take ipi first. How long to wait after ipi and before Zelboraf I don't know.

              • August 25, 2013 at 10:48 pm
              shansmith110
              Participant

                Thank you very much for the reply POW.  We are going to find out more about what the doctors say tomorrow.   We are also going to ask about the difference between Zelboraf and Dabrafenib.  I will post what we find out.  Thanks again for the info!

                • August 27, 2013 at 5:49 am
                DeniseK
                Participant

                  I am currently on Dabrafenib and Ipi but started out on Z combined with Ipi.  I am taking Reishi mushroom supplements to protect my liver but no longer have diarea since switching to dabrafenib.  I itch and that's about it for side effects.  My insurance wouldn't cover the Mek otherwise I'd be taking that too.

                  All my best 

                  Denise

                  • August 27, 2013 at 5:49 am
                  DeniseK
                  Participant

                    I am currently on Dabrafenib and Ipi but started out on Z combined with Ipi.  I am taking Reishi mushroom supplements to protect my liver but no longer have diarea since switching to dabrafenib.  I itch and that's about it for side effects.  My insurance wouldn't cover the Mek otherwise I'd be taking that too.

                    All my best 

                    Denise

                    • August 27, 2013 at 5:49 am
                    DeniseK
                    Participant

                      I am currently on Dabrafenib and Ipi but started out on Z combined with Ipi.  I am taking Reishi mushroom supplements to protect my liver but no longer have diarea since switching to dabrafenib.  I itch and that's about it for side effects.  My insurance wouldn't cover the Mek otherwise I'd be taking that too.

                      All my best 

                      Denise

                      • August 27, 2013 at 6:32 am
                      shansmith110
                      Participant

                        Hi Denise,

                        Thank you so much for your reply.

                        It is looking like my dad is going to go ahead and take his last IPI dose, and will be starting Debrafenib and MEK.  We are finding out more about the timeline this week.  He will also probably be getting SRS on some of the brain mets.

                        I hope your treatment continues going well and that you get good results.  I will update any progress on my dad's progress here.

                        All the best, Shannon

                        • August 29, 2013 at 3:31 am
                        shansmith110
                        Participant

                          An update on the plan.  Dad is going to take last IPI infusion tomorrow, wait a week or 2, and then start on Debrafenib and MEK inhibtor.  SRS radiation on 2-3 spots on brain.  Will post with progress and toleration of the close IPI to Debrafenib transition.

                          Thank you!

                          • August 29, 2013 at 3:31 am
                          shansmith110
                          Participant

                            An update on the plan.  Dad is going to take last IPI infusion tomorrow, wait a week or 2, and then start on Debrafenib and MEK inhibtor.  SRS radiation on 2-3 spots on brain.  Will post with progress and toleration of the close IPI to Debrafenib transition.

                            Thank you!

                            • August 29, 2013 at 3:31 am
                            shansmith110
                            Participant

                              An update on the plan.  Dad is going to take last IPI infusion tomorrow, wait a week or 2, and then start on Debrafenib and MEK inhibtor.  SRS radiation on 2-3 spots on brain.  Will post with progress and toleration of the close IPI to Debrafenib transition.

                              Thank you!

                              • August 29, 2013 at 11:47 am
                              POW
                              Participant

                                That sounds like an excellent treatment plan, Shannon. Your father is hitting the beast with all the best weapons we have available right now. And Mass General is one of the best melanoma centers in the country. You and your family must have educated yourselves very quickly about melanoma. Good for you! Please keep us updated as to his progress.

                                • August 25, 2013 at 10:48 pm
                                shansmith110
                                Participant

                                  Thank you very much for the reply POW.  We are going to find out more about what the doctors say tomorrow.   We are also going to ask about the difference between Zelboraf and Dabrafenib.  I will post what we find out.  Thanks again for the info!

                                  • August 25, 2013 at 10:48 pm
                                  shansmith110
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you very much for the reply POW.  We are going to find out more about what the doctors say tomorrow.   We are also going to ask about the difference between Zelboraf and Dabrafenib.  I will post what we find out.  Thanks again for the info!

                                    • August 27, 2013 at 6:32 am
                                    shansmith110
                                    Participant

                                      Hi Denise,

                                      Thank you so much for your reply.

                                      It is looking like my dad is going to go ahead and take his last IPI dose, and will be starting Debrafenib and MEK.  We are finding out more about the timeline this week.  He will also probably be getting SRS on some of the brain mets.

                                      I hope your treatment continues going well and that you get good results.  I will update any progress on my dad's progress here.

                                      All the best, Shannon

                                      • August 27, 2013 at 6:32 am
                                      shansmith110
                                      Participant

                                        Hi Denise,

                                        Thank you so much for your reply.

                                        It is looking like my dad is going to go ahead and take his last IPI dose, and will be starting Debrafenib and MEK.  We are finding out more about the timeline this week.  He will also probably be getting SRS on some of the brain mets.

                                        I hope your treatment continues going well and that you get good results.  I will update any progress on my dad's progress here.

                                        All the best, Shannon

                                        • August 29, 2013 at 11:47 am
                                        POW
                                        Participant

                                          That sounds like an excellent treatment plan, Shannon. Your father is hitting the beast with all the best weapons we have available right now. And Mass General is one of the best melanoma centers in the country. You and your family must have educated yourselves very quickly about melanoma. Good for you! Please keep us updated as to his progress.

                                          • August 29, 2013 at 11:47 am
                                          POW
                                          Participant

                                            That sounds like an excellent treatment plan, Shannon. Your father is hitting the beast with all the best weapons we have available right now. And Mass General is one of the best melanoma centers in the country. You and your family must have educated yourselves very quickly about melanoma. Good for you! Please keep us updated as to his progress.

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