Postby Kathryn in MN » Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:09 pm
My results were also amazing! My CEA started dropping immediately. I had spent 14 months on FOLFIRI + Avastin or some combo of that, with many being Irinotecan + Avastin, before doing radiation for my remaining tumors (because that combo kept me stable, but did not clear me of tumors).
On Irinotecan + Zaltrap my CEA went down to 2.0, which is the lowest it has ever been. I had 5 tx, but the 3rd one I did not get Zaltrap. I took one cycle off to get my BP back under control and to hope the other really bad problems I had would clear up too. I went back on it at 50% dose. I had to quit after 5 because I had severe gastroparesis and vomiting. We think it was from the Zaltrap, but aren't positive. It kicked cancer's ass, but kicked mine too! A CT and a few MRI's (abdomen & pelvis, brain, spine) were all clear other than my spinal tumors, after just 5 total treatments, only 4 with Zaltrap. I am STILL angry with Dr Saltz and MSKCC for their stance that Zaltrap is just another Avastin because they are the same category of drug. Each patient is an individual, and each drug works differently on different patients/tumors. There is NO comparing Avastin and Zaltrap for me - Zaltrap wins hands down! A HUGE difference!
I've had a long enough break due to how good it worked, that I will be able to tolerate 3-6 treatments again when needed. I haven't had chemo since November and I have been off all treatment since my STAR Ablation RFT to my spinal met in December, other than monthly Xgeva shots for my bones. My CEA rose from 2.0 to 3.2 5 weeks later, then to 3.8 5 weeks after that. This is a very slow rise - slower than after my break over a year ago. I have a PET/CT scheduled for mid-April and will redo labs then too. We'll see if I need chemo again yet at that point or if I can hold off a bit. I'm pretty sure I have a bit of bone progression again, but that usually grows slowly. So far I am a Zaltrap fan and hope it can help others the way it has helped a few of us.
QUESTION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD ZALTRAP
Are you KRAS mutant, and WHICH mutation do you have. Mine is codon G13D. (Most are codon 12) I'm just curious if KRAS status makes a difference, and if so, it breaking it down further makes a difference. They have not studied that yet.