CEA dropped 82 percent after 2 vectibix infusions...

[Awreed]

I am curious if anyone has had experience with the EGFR inhibitor, Vectibix being used as a single agent, so not with irrinotican or Folfox. I heard it works better in combo with something else but I decided to use alone. My CEA was 282, highest ever in my 4 plus years. After 1 infusion it went to 168, then after 2nd infusion down to 49... 82 percent decrease. It seems as though I'm responding to the treatment as a single agent. Anyone else have experience with vectibix?

[ronnieciao]

Hi there,

yes, my mother had the same remarkable response to Vectibix. it made her CEA crash down very fast, from the 1000s to single digits. She took in first with Folfox, then as a single agent, and it worked for 18 months before she became resistant to it.

[Wonderfullymade]

I don't know the percentages but I had a good enough response that I was able to have my liver resected. The scan the month after surgery showed new activity so they did not put me back on it as a mop up therapy. I was also taking Folfiri with it.
I pray it works well for you!
Wonderfullymade

[LeonW]

CEA levels usually return to near-normal levels within 6 weeks of starting treatment if cancer treatment is successful.

You may well be on the right track

[rmblack]

I've had one vectibix infusion. It was given to me in hopes the rash wouldn't be as bad as the Erbitux. It was the same...awful rash on my face, chest and back. I'm coming off of it now because my onc said I no longer need it. My last CEA level was 0.4. I have no idea what my CEA was when I started it. He did tell me that if my cancer comes back I will more than likely have to go back on it because it does work so well, even though the side effects are really bad.

[canadiandaughter]

my dad is on vectibix as a single agent as you called it. He has now had 2 infusions of it. The rash is just slightly starting to show on his head so I am told by my mom. He is still tired, but I think that is due to age (81) and having had two years of chemo with no breaks. I think he missed chemo 2 times for low blood work. We did get him a short break of about 3 weeks this summer before he started the new treatment. I do believe he is on full strength of vectibix as well. Praying we see some good results on his scan, it is his liver that is being nasty and not reacting to any chemo, but all his spots are still very small so we are very thankful for that. So glad to see this thread and see that it has worked for someone! That gives the rest of us some hope, thanks for sharing!