Jevtana (cabazitaxel)

I started a newly released chemo this past week.  I am looking for anyone who has had experience with this treatment either after release or in clinical trial.  I would like to know how sucessful it has been for you as well as any side effects, improvements or dissapointments.

2005 prostate removed

2005 till present HT with consistantly low PSA

4/2010 tumor discovered

4/2010 till 8/2010 Chemo

3 weeks of RT following chemo

10/19 started Jevtana

LOTS of Questions

I just received my 4th infusion. I have an aggressive Gleason 9 with very little PSA. I do not know if my experience is typical. But for what it is worth I would say that the good news is that before starting this drug I was taking several breakthrough pain meds every day. My oncologist increased my pain meds but then within days of the first infusion there was no pain. I even reduced on my own the regular dosage for pain meds.

For me no pain by itself made the drug worth it. The down side was the side effect of killing my white blood cells. This occurred in the second week. Count went down to 0.6. So far I have been lucky and had no infection. Infection is a big worry and If I had gotten an infection I would have had to go to ER. Effects of no white cells left me feeling bad and without any energy. It usually took about five days for my body to build back enough white blood cells but when it did I felt fine.

So for five days every three weeks I feel pretty bad but then there is no pain for the entire three week period. For me that is a trade I will make.

I hope this treatment works for you. There is a shot they can give you to boost your white blood cells. I felt worse when I got the shot but infections can be potentially very serious. I have been lucky on that score. I hope this drug works for you - Good Luck!!