Radium-223 Chloride (Alpharadin) - Anyone with experience?

Hi Bud

This article thinks first quarter of 2013

http://advancedprostatecancer.net/?cat=818

Lots of positive news on it.

Saw scans of a heavily involved bonr mets patient before and after.

The difference was very impressive almost a complete response.

Best wishes to all 

Gerry 

It appears to be superior to Samarium and Strontium which are in this class of internal radiological drug therapy. It works alittle differently from what I read prior. Like to hear its results soon. Considering what everything new is costing these days, can we even think we will be candidates to get such therapies???? There is a new book out at amazon on some of the workings of the new health care thingy that may help explain some of the intricacies of how it may work, if you are curious.

I have already noticed that insurance companies are getting stupid on us, went to get my script for estradiol patches, they don't want to approve (3) patches a week of .1 mg and give me 90 count. So, they limited me to (4) as they come in a box of four and told me to contact doctor and insurance company to seek approval for larger amount of them. These are not super expensive either, but  comparitively they are going to jump in and pay $5300 a month for Zytiga or $7350 a month for MDV3100? (we hope)

So, got another script after my first week of using estradiol patches and again the same scenario from another pharma and may jump through hoops to get it approved. Other option I may take is buy them with same script from Canada direct for cash (did so with casodex type drugs prior) and can get likely as many as I wish, luckily they are alot cheaper I can get Vivelle dots .1 mg for like $99 for (32) patches vs. the U.S. Alvogen .1 (4) for $69 via insurance or Mylan for $39 same count. But insurance is limiting me plenty and making it difficult to get the approval to some degree, anyway. I see it as plenty stupid, I could be asking for much more expensive drugs for control that they would approve and pay for even Lupron would cost more...so it is nit picking. I was impressed with my insurance coverage until this and the casodex fiasco cards were thrown in on me.  They loved paying for Lupron, Zoladex and scans and expensive radiations.

So, if you have to go outside the insurance or whatever blanking plan, you can consider paying cash in lesser amounts through Canadian Pharma's or elsewhere. A good one is www.northdrugstore.com   see prices in U.S. bucks and $10 delivery, you can even use existing scripts to get their gig. You may have to do what you have to do in these matters. 

Post Edited (zufus) : 10/15/2012 1:44:24 PM (GMT-6)

This was posted on another forum by Jan M. as to early access program and locations:

From the Early/Expanded Access Committee (Co-Chairs Tom Kirk & Dr Mark Moyad) - Now available at Stanford (plus 3 other sites):



Radium-223 Chloride (Alpharadin) in Castration-Resistant (Hormone-Refractory) Prostate Cancer Patients With Bone Metastases


No placebo - No cost for Alpharadin (check with trial site for any other costs)

Basic Eligibility Criteria:

•CRPC/HRPC - on hormone therapy with progressive disease
•At least 2 bone metastases - blastic (sclerotic), not lytic
•Some amount of pain/bone pain (must be taking daily meds – even if it’s Tylenol)
•No mets to lung, liver, or brain
•HGB 10.0 or higher
•Previously treated with Taxotere (or have refused Taxotere – patient’s choice)
•4 weeks since chemo, and No chemo currently planned
•No abiraterone (Zytiga) while on Alpharadin - previous OK
•No previous extensive radiation to bone (> 25% of bone marrow), and No previous Quadramet or Strontium 89



If you think you fit this Basic Eligibility Criteria, contact one of the sites below for further screening.





California
Stanford University
Contact: Euodia Jonathan, [email protected] (prefers EMAIL), or (650) 723-7419
Stanford, CA 94305



Florida
Moffitt Cancer Center

Contact: Bonnie Sauder, RN (813) 745-3574 or [email protected]
Tampa, FL 33612



Louisiana
Tulane University

Contact: Patrick Cotogno (504) 988-6542 or [email protected]
New Orleans, LA 70112



Nevada
Comprehensive Cancer Ctrs of Nevada
Las Vegas, NV 89169

Contact: Victoria Le (702) 952-340 or [email protected]

Passages,
We are out as well since my husband has lung mets. We have an appt tomorrow with the Onc. So I will clarify that.

Zimac

Did send a reply msW.W. and it is ashame on how alot of these protocols/drugs have lots of exclusions for patients or insurance exceptions. More to the real battles for patients.

Zimac. Changed automatically and didn't notice. Sometimes I think the chemo and Dr. visits tire me out as much or more than they do my husband.

Zimac,
Wow, that is a long day. Jevtana quicker than Taxotere was.

He's been in a couple of studies, but was control with Custersen and just received the Taxotere alone. Will be seeing new Dr. (Ours retiring) and apparently new guy was a part of Provenge trial; however, not sure they will feel he has the life span or would give results they want on any studies out there. if anyone knows a possibility of a applicable study, it would be nice to know before our next visit /chemo.

He did the Zytiga but not in conjunction with Taxotere. Zytiga was a total disaster, except for no se and regaining energy, etc. after Taxotere.

The Jevtana not "failing" yet, but not sure it's succeeding. Will get scans again with new Dr. and see. PSA not rising, not urgent to check. He's amazingly outwardly doing well. With all the bone mets and other tumors, he has minimal pain, some fatigue, chemo brain definitely; but able to work (pt) and do most of his volunteer activities - which has included camping out. That was a "no way" last year. Think the Dr. is like just enjoy what you can. Confusing. We are blessed he's as well as he is, but it's always hanging there - to a degree.

It appears your husband's trial is doing well. Hope it continues.