HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Taxotere Now a "Bust"

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/1/2012 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
I have had seven 3-week infusions of Taxotere. My PSA progression went approximately 63--36--25--16--15 (not much of a drop) and now.....my latest PSA reading is c. 17---going UP instead of down. I have another infusion due next Thursday and will most likely do it regardless, just to "keep their heads down" until my onc and I can strategize the next move.

The use of MDV3100 *MAY* be in my future---but it seems like it is "super casodex" denying pc its testosterone, but I am "refractory" (Casodex and Lupron irrelevant, now), so where does that leave me?

I have inquired into a "local" (three-hour drive) clinical trial of BIND-014 that shows promise to deliver Taxotere directly to the cancer cells themselves, and at high concentrations. Now, is my cancer "wise" to Taxotere, making the trial irrelevant, or is it that the LOW concentrations of Taxotere in general chemo is blunted somehow?

I am "afraid" that I am at the "Hail Mary" stage.

 

Post Edited (sequoiaranger) : 8/31/2012 6:15:15 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/1/2012 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Sequoiaranger,

Hang in there. Talk to your oncologist about suitable trials. Also, ask if Jevtana (another chemo drug for men that have failed Taxotere) is an option. Think Doug Flutie in 1984. "Hail Mary" passes can work. Let us know what you and doctor decide. We are with you!

SC

Posted 9/1/2012 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear of this development. Was really hoping the Taxotere was going to make a real difference, at least for a while. Good luck as you stratagize on what to do next.

David
Posted 9/1/2012 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Sequoiaranger,

- Is 15 to 17 significant? perhaps wait for the next PSA and compare? I realize it is not going the right direction, but how long between psas?

- Just because you may be refractory with normal hormone therapy drugs in no way makes you refractory for drugs like MDV3100.

Hang in there....
Posted 9/1/2012 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
sequoiaranger

My Medical Team would not make a change of treatment choice on one PSA value.

On the MDV3100, I'm fairly sure it can be used after Casodex fails. Least I sure do hope so!

HUGS

Bud

We will beat this crap!
Posted 9/1/2012 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Ranger, I feel your pain. I would have the same concerns and fears. Wishing you the best. BB
Posted 9/1/2012 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
While my situation is very different, I had Taxotere treatment few years back. I also had a cycle where my PSA has gone up, but it has come down in the next one.

Hang in there.... Don't underestimate the power of positive thinking.

Best of luck!
Posted 9/1/2012 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
My husband had a good run on the casodex and then it turned into cancer fuel so it was stopped. He's on the MDV3100 now after taxotere failed so I think it is a medication that can be used. And so far so good. I also think C.C.'s husband is getting good results with MDV3100 after casodex and taxotere. So there are good treatments out there!
I'm sorry the taxotere isn't having the effect you wanted - that's always difficult to face.
Posted 9/2/2012 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
hi sorry to hear its not working for you, u lasted longer on it then my hubby did so thats a wonderful thing, if jevtana is out have u thought of zytiga it worked for my husband for 7 months he is mcrpc and on the mdv3100 trial which he hopes will benefit all pc patients in the future. you are in my prayers
hugs
cc
Posted 9/2/2012 6:27 AM (GMT 0)
Seems like there are a lot more busts with Taxotere then I would like to know about. Thank God for the newer medications.

A failed treatment is always difficult. Keep a stiff upper lip.

You're in my nightly prayers.

Zimac
Posted 9/2/2012 6:56 AM (GMT 0)
Sequoiaranger,

No need for a Hail Mary. There is always another path to try. The BIND-014 phase 1 trial in Los Angeles bears investigating. The inclusion/exclusion criteria require you only to be off chemo for 30 days. I think that this suggests an anticipated benefit even for those cancers "wise" to Taxotere alone.
Just because you went refractory on the Lupron/Casodex regiment doesn't mean that other avenues of ADT are closed to you. There is a growing arsenal out there .. explore the options with your oncologist.
MDV3100 may well be a strong possibility in your setting. Here's Myers take on that drug.
http://askdrmyers.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/exciting-new-pca-drugs-zytiga-mdv3100/

Jim
Posted 9/14/2012 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
my husband has been on his 21st round of taxotere and we just been told that its not working, his levels have be jumping from 24-26-25-30-34-28.... his cancer has mets to the lymph nodes and bone, next week we find out about other options, what do you all think about MDV3100, I havent heard of this, just from what you all have mentioned. We are both getting tired of this it has been 2 yrs and I just had a double mastectomy for new diagnosis of breast cancer and finishing up with reconstruction, it has been 9 months now for me and we both are so tired of medication and pain and ........, our kids are strong and they keep us going, any suggestion my ears are open
Posted 9/14/2012 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Although I am not up to date on these advanced treatments, I wanted you to know that I am pulling for you. Hang tough.
Posted 9/15/2012 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for words of encouragement.

I did get my 8th infusion and suffered from its SE's, but BELIEVE I am "finished" with chemo. I have felt a re-surgence in "discomfort" in my ribs, sternum, and hips. I got blood drawn for a PSA test, whose results I should get sometime next week. My last number was "17". I would expect the new one to be in the twenties or so. I would be truly SHOCKED if the number were lower than 17. If one graphs the "curve" of my PSA over the chemo period, the "left" side of the graph is a nice downward slope from "63". The last three PSA's have been "16", "15", "17", to me indicating the bottom of the parabola and "on its way up" the right side of the graph. When at "63" several months previously, I had excruciating bone pain. So without some new, effective treatment I might be back into MISERY in another few months. I can't "let" the numbers rise if I can help it, and I feel I have "lost" a month or two of dithering with hope that the chemo was still working.

Zytiga, here we come!!
Posted 9/16/2012 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
"The use of MDV3100 *MAY* be in my future---but it seems like it is "super casodex" denying pc its testosterone, but I am "refractory" (Casodex and Lupron irrelevant, now), so where does that leave me?"

MDV4100 has performed quite well in cases of HRPC where traditional LHRH agonists with/ or without bicalutamide have stopped working. So it is that the traditional term for HRPC is becoming obsolete since the release of Zytiga and soon Xtandi (Enzalutamide or MDV3100).

I think your plan to consider this drug is reasonable and does in fact provide new hope for patients in your class...

Tony
Posted 9/18/2012 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Sequoiaranger.
After our fifth taxotere the oncologist is taking hubby off and our next scheduled chemo will be with Jevtana. We had an initial PSA drop but then it's been slowly increasing. He has a problem with swelling in his left leg and before we started chemo they did an ultrasound in our hometown to rule out a blood clot. The report came back as no clot. Feeling was that lymph nodes were involved. Some reduction in swelling but increasing again. Oncologist did another ultrasound at the cancer centre because of concern and came back as a14cm clot, deep vein. Started on blood thinner.Daily injections, probably for 3-6 months! Not happy with local hospital. Oncologist informed us that MDV3100 will be available in Canada in November and hubby would be eligible to have it provided at no cost if further chemo is unproductive. Appetite has improved slightly but still a lot of fatigue. Down 36 lb. in 6 months but last 3 weeks has shown minimal loss, hopefully will gain some back with increased appetite. So we take one day at a time and are optimistic that better treatments are on the way.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply