HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Clinical Trials

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/23/2009 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
It has been suggested by my URO because of my Gleason score that I look into pursuing a clinical trial.  There are several out there sponsored through the NIH for PC.

I haven't heard anyone on this forum yet mention clinical trials.  Is there anyone who has or is participating in one ?  Are they worth the time and effort ? 

There appears to be a lot of pre=requsites and it seems as tho if we would pursue one, it would be better for newer post prostatectomy patients, or newly diagnosed PC patients.

Any thoughts or comments ?

Posted 6/23/2009 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
I participated in clinical trial that was targetting to kill stray cells that may have left prostate and also shrink the tumor prior to surgery. It kinda worked. My pre-surgery stats indicated a 17% probability of prostate confined disease. My first pathology showed the confined disease and decrease in Gleason score. (Second opinion pathology showed focal capsular penetration). But with pre-surgery PSA of over 30 and Gleason 8 I think my results were pretty good. I'll never know how it would turn out if I went straight to surgery, but I'd like to belive I am better off with the trial. Some trials work well, some so-so, and some don't, so you are gambling by participating...
Posted 6/23/2009 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
My husband is a gleason 9 had metasized so no option of surgery or brachetherapy and for awhile there it looked like he was going to get into the abilraterone study. But the study got pushed back and my hubbys PSA was too high to wait for a blind study. If you go to clinicaltrials.gov you can do a search on what is out there. There are supposedly a few good drugs around the corner - our fingers are crossed.
Hubby has Chemo treatment #3 this week - hopefully PSA will have started to drop - last time at least bone numbers were building not breaking.
Posted 6/23/2009 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Amy,

Thanks for the feedback. I have been on Clinic .gov and attempted to wade through the stuff. my big concern is that most of these trials are what they call randomized, which I think means I may end up taking a placebo, or not getting the treatment.

I gues I don't feel like being a guinea pig at this point in my cancer. I am teetering on the edge of just waiting until something happens, then do the radiation or chemo.

Best of luck to you and your hubby. I know how I feel, and I supposedly don't have any mets yet, but this gleason 9 is apparently a nasty one. So many options, so many opinions, and not really a clear path to follow.

I don't know if you read the post yesterday about observations, but it did point out the fact that many guys on this forum have been in some pretty bad diagnoses, but are still kickin after 10 or 15 years. The medical community is making progess.

Keep in touch and let us know how it is going.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply