9/14/16 - New Clinical Trial!

Last week, I got a call from the SCCA scheduler saying that I will be having an appointment on Tuesday, 9/13 with Doctor Harris.  I was't sure what it was for, either a standard checkup or to move forward on the new clinical trial.

Two days ago, I got a call directly from Dr. Harris, which is actually a rarity, saying that a trial spot had opened up, and he wanted me to review the consents so we can sign it at the appointment the following day.  He then had the trial coordinator and scheduler call me and I received and reviewed the consent forms.

Yesterday, after some shuffling of appointments, I met with Dr. Harris and the trial coordinator to discuss the next clinical trial and to ask questions.  This clinical trial is a combination of two immunotherapy agents, one which is FDA approved (Avelumab), and one which is not (OX-40).  The hope is that there is synergy between the two, and the benefits are greater when used in combination.  This drug works by making the body smarter in identifying the cancer cells so the white blood cells know to attack them, as opposed to the body thinking they belong.

The trial will consist of the following:

• Pre-screening blood work to ensure my organ functions are not outside of the acceptable range.  For example, specific liver markers can't be 1.5x the normal.
• Another CT scan, probably next Thursday morning as a baseline.
• Long, all day infusions every two weeks, where I also have to stay for an additional two hours for observation after the infusion.  Good thing I got new headphones to keep me entertained.
• Visits in between the infusions to check blood work and general review of how the trial is going.  This means I get to go to SCCA every week.
• Hopefully the trial will start on Monday the 26th, but they are waiting on some results from previous patients who have taken the drug.  
• Side effects: Fatigue, nausea, inflammation in the liver or lungs.

This is a different drug from what was presented to me last time I met with Dr. Harris, as he mentioned that trial had some administrative issues and is currently no longer accepting new patients at the moment.  It may open up again and would serve as another backup if we find this trial is not successful.  One clinical trial is not better than the other, but he liked that with the trial I will be starting, I am guaranteed a combination of more than one drug.

According to my doctor, this trial has shown to slow down the growth of tumors in other colon cancer patients he's had, but with the many mutations of unknown significance I have, we're hoping for a greater, more aggressive response.  Thanks for reading, and hope you have a great day!

- Jerome