6/13/16 - The Clinical Trial Begins!

Hi Friends and Family,

A few quick updates regarding the clinical trial.  A couple weeks ago, I met with my oncologist for a standard appointment and blood work check.  Dr. Harris mentioned that my blood work looks really good, as my counts are back to normal, including liver function and white blood cells.  He also mentioned that there was another clinical trial that was open that was similar to the gene altering drug in mechanism.  However, this drug has been tested on rats and other animals, but not on humans, so I would truly be one of the first to receive the drug.  

I'm fine with being one of the first humans to receive the drug from a side effects perspective, but I didn't want to have to wait for the dosing to be figured out, as they would start with a small dose, and increase over time.  I didn't want to have to wait to receive a dose that was identified to be safe and effective, so I opted out of this particular trial and told them that I would want to wait for the other drug altering drug, as it was a bit further along, but was going to be another 4 weeks or so.

Last Thursday, I received a call from my doctors office asking me to come in the next day at noon to sign a consent form for the other drug that I was holding out for, meaning a spot had opened up on the other trial.  I went in on Friday to sign the consent, and they gave me a bit more information on the drug.  Below is a few key points:

• The drug is a phase 1 clinical trial, a bromodomine inhibitor
• This drug will supposedly change 2000 of my 10,000 genes
• Oral tablet twice daily, increasing in dose every 3 weeks
• This drug has been tested on around 35 humans
• Side effects are primarily lower blood counts (red and white counts), nausea, fatigue, and stomach issues
• 9 week trial to check staging, and longer if it's effective, or shorter if it's deemed to be unsafe or if I opt out for any reason
• If it's effective, I'll stay on the drug, if not, I'll get on another trial

I'll be having a CT scan tomorrow, Tuesday, and will start the drug on Wednesday, which includes lots of monitoring (5 blood draws) the first day, and a follow-up appointment this Thursday.  I'll let you know how the side effects go as I experience them, but let's hope it isn't bad!  Thanks again for reading and we'll talk more soon!

- Jerome