GREAT NEWS – MERCK DRUG (Keytruda) is WORKING!!

I apologize for the delay in posting this since my mother’s passing on August 3rd, but I have wanted to update the group for some time on her experience with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and Sprycel (Dasatinib) in the months before her passing. As described in some of my prior posts, my mother received Keytruda through the Merck Access Program and Sprycel through the Bristol Myers Squibb Sprycel Assist Program. She received two rounds of Keytruda and the 100 mg tablets of Sprycel orally. We had some apparent complications with the Sprycel clearly causing some kind of internal bleeding. We drained her abdomen daily (usually twice daily) and the fluids would turn red with traces of blood when she had take Sprycel, and it would resolve itself if she did not take it for 36 hours or so. Thus, we were eventually guided to stop with the Sprycel out of concerns for bleeding issues, so she probably only took about 9 pills overall.

In any event, mom was hospitalized on July 26 with breathing issues and we, along with the doctors, were shocked to discover from scans taken at that time that her tumor burden had not increased in any material way since the prior scan 5-6 weeks earlier. Thus, we have reason to believe that the Keytruda was indeed “working” even though mom’s PD-1 test from MSK was negative. To be sure, this is not conclusive evidence, but we were hopeful that eventually it would work well enough to not only stop the growth, but turn some of the tumors back. Unfortunately, we ran out of time. Again, no conclusive medical determinations were made as to the efficacy of the drugs, but the doctors were amazed that the tumors had not grown and were cautiously optimistic that Keytruda was working a miracle until, again, we unfortunately ran out of time as the fluid build-up in and around mom’s lungs became too much. It is also entirely possible that the Sprycel was contributing to the halt of the tumor growth. We just don’t know but, again, I felt it was important to share this experience with the group.

All the very best,
Steven

Dear Rose and Colleen,

Thank you for posting your update. Awesome news!, I’m so happy for you. This will be very encouraging for so many others!

Wishing you continues good health.

Debbie

Dear Rose and Colleen! OMG! Every time I read about the wonders of Keytruda I am so overjoyed I feel as though my heart is going to explode with happiness. Way to go Rose and at 76 years old I cannot help but imagine doing my cartwheels!!! What a team you gals are and just enjoy, enjoy!

This study is closed to new recruits:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02054806?show_locs=Y#locn

konniestwin…clicking Colleen’s s signature box (ctwong81) brings you to her profile with e-mail address. Perhaps she will answer your question,
Hugs
Marion

Natalia….welcome to our group.
I have learned that Immune checkpoint inhibitors actually can cause progression, which then is followed by regression. Perhaps the next test will prove this to be the case for you as well.

Many others have been treated with Ketyruda and others are in the same clinical trial as you. Hoping for others to chime in to help us find the answer to your question.
Hugs,
Marion

Thank you so much for posting this information. We are looking into the clinical triall that is currently taking patients.