Can someone who is stage 4 really end stage still benifit from Keytruda?

[Lagne]

Hello, I am a new member. My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer 5 weeks ago from out of no where. We met with a specialist at Dana Farber. He told us that a very small percentage of people 3-4% have a genetic mutation that have responded very well to an Immunotherapy called Keytruda. He didn't think she had this gene but sent her blood off anyway, fast forward three weeks, she has declined rapidly. We got a call last Wed that she does indeed have this MMR gene mutation that makes her a good candidate for Keytruda, except that she is now extremely weak and in hospice. Does anyone have any information about how far gone is too far gone to try this immunotherapy? From what I have read many stage 4 Colon cancer patients saw remarkable results but I don't know how hard to push this. I feel so torn about what to do...

[some808guy]

Stage 4 here... I am on keytruda. it has worked wonders for me to say the least.
not cured yet... but the difference between past therapies and keytruda are night and day.
My opinion would be to push hard for it...
having MMR signature is lucky.
there are numerous success stories here about it.

[DH2Sleen]

Hello, I am a new member. My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer 5 weeks ago from out of no where. We met with a specialist at Dana Farber. He told us that a very small percentage of people 3-4% have a genetic mutation that have responded very well to an Immunotherapy called Keytruda. He didn't think she had this gene but sent her blood off anyway, fast forward three weeks, she has declined rapidly. We got a call last Wed that she does indeed have this MMR gene mutation that makes her a good candidate for Keytruda, except that she is now extremely weak and in hospice. Does anyone have any information about how far gone is too far gone to try this immunotherapy? From what I have read many stage 4 Colon cancer patients saw remarkable results but I don't know how hard to push this. I feel so torn about what to do...

We have had a member here who was expecting to die within days, then she found out she was MMR deficient and went on Keytruda and it killed all of her cancer (unfortunately she died of complications of a surgery). She should get a dose of it as soon as possible (I don't intend this to be medical advice). If a doctor knows she is MMR deficient and even hours from passing, he should give her the drug. It doesn't necessarily work fast, but it is probably her only hope. There is no down side to taking the drug. Just my opinion.

[Wonderfullymade]

I wasnt on hospice but was pretty close! Failed at folfox and folfiri...crap kept spreading and was taking over my lymph system. A lot of my Drs weren’t offering much hope, but thankfully my fellow oncologist was all excited about this new treatment and got me on it off label.
I wouldnt be here if it weren’t for the Keytruda! I wouldnt say it doesnt have side effects....but they are nothing like chemo, and even as sick as your mom is she should not have any drug side effects ( I am not a Dr, just my experience).
Never give up hope! Being mmr is a game changer! I dont know how fast it will work...but you gotta try!!


Sorry I forget how to update my sig but I have been NED for 7 months now! CEA is still 1.1

[henry123]

Last January, I was given 3 to 6 months.
I am still here thanks to immunotherapy with Nivolumab Opdivo. You can see more details in my signature.
Please start with either of them immediately.
Also on a side note, it seems a low dose aspirin works quite well with Nivolumab.
Best of luck.

[Lagne]

Thank you so much to all of you who took the time to respond to my question last night. I was so comforted to read your posts. I am new here and am not sure how to send private messages but wondered if any of you would be willing to talk to me further, answer some more questions etc. I am trying to build a strong case to bring to my family and feel like I really need real people who have been through this to give their overview. I am beyond grateful to each one of you!

[ronnieciao]

My mum is no longer here unfortunately. But if I were in your shoes, I would really, really hope she tries it. Of course it carries risks, especially if she is very weak already. It also carries enormous potential, but at the end of the day, is the doctor who has to assess if she can withstand the treatment, and ultimately, it's your mother's decision. She's the patient.

My mum went on an immunotherapy clinical trial at the end, when everything else failed. It gave her no benefit, because she did NOT have this rare mutation your mother has. Believe me, I would given ANYTHING to read "MMR deficient" in her genetic report.....