I’m currently on BRAF inhibitors as an initial treatment for what was rapidly progressing Stage IV. My doctor has raised the possibility of toggling me between the BRAF drugs and ipi, that is before the BRAF drugs stop working. There is some published research on sequencing (one treatment following the other), but not toggling (moving back and forth between the two) as far as I can tell. Does anyone have any practical experience with this? Thanks.
Hi Everyone,
I’m currently on BRAF inhibitors as an initial treatment for what was rapidly progressing Stage IV. My doctor has raised the possibility of toggling me between the BRAF drugs and ipi, that is before the BRAF drugs stop working. There is some published research on sequencing (one treatment following the other), but not toggling (moving back and forth between the two) as far as I can tell. Does anyone have any practical experience with this? Thanks.
This is an interesting concept. IPI (Yervoy) can take up too a year to show results, if it works. BRAF targeted chemo usually shows immediate results. The most standard protocol is it the melanoma is being very aggressive to go to the BRAF immediately to lower the tumor load to buy time to take Yervoy and wait for a result. This approach seems like a logical approach. Do watch for and report immediately any side effects, especially in the gastrointestinal arena (Colitis?) Do keep us informed of your decision and how things progress.
My husband is on a trial where he did 6 weeks of Zelboraf and then ipi but had to stop after 3rd ipi infusion and go back on Z due to what they were never able to determine … either progression to leptomeningeal disease or a rare side effect of nerve inflammation.
LONG story short he is 11 weeks post infusion and about 9 weeks back on Z and is doing pretty well!!! Was paralyzed for about a week after last infusion and is now getting around ok and subq’s are gone. Waiting on PET results now.
My husband is on a trial where he did 6 weeks of Zelboraf and then ipi but had to stop after 3rd ipi infusion and go back on Z due to what they were never able to determine … either progression to leptomeningeal disease or a rare side effect of nerve inflammation.
LONG story short he is 11 weeks post infusion and about 9 weeks back on Z and is doing pretty well!!! Was paralyzed for about a week after last infusion and is now getting around ok and subq’s are gone. Waiting on PET results now.
My husband is on a trial where he did 6 weeks of Zelboraf and then ipi but had to stop after 3rd ipi infusion and go back on Z due to what they were never able to determine … either progression to leptomeningeal disease or a rare side effect of nerve inflammation.
LONG story short he is 11 weeks post infusion and about 9 weeks back on Z and is doing pretty well!!! Was paralyzed for about a week after last infusion and is now getting around ok and subq’s are gone. Waiting on PET results now.
This is an interesting concept. IPI (Yervoy) can take up too a year to show results, if it works. BRAF targeted chemo usually shows immediate results. The most standard protocol is it the melanoma is being very aggressive to go to the BRAF immediately to lower the tumor load to buy time to take Yervoy and wait for a result. This approach seems like a logical approach. Do watch for and report immediately any side effects, especially in the gastrointestinal arena (Colitis?) Do keep us informed of your decision and how things progress.
This is an interesting concept. IPI (Yervoy) can take up too a year to show results, if it works. BRAF targeted chemo usually shows immediate results. The most standard protocol is it the melanoma is being very aggressive to go to the BRAF immediately to lower the tumor load to buy time to take Yervoy and wait for a result. This approach seems like a logical approach. Do watch for and report immediately any side effects, especially in the gastrointestinal arena (Colitis?) Do keep us informed of your decision and how things progress.
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