Jump to content

Vesuri

Members
  • Posts

    76
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Vesuri

  1. Hello good peoples :)

    Thought I'd post little update. This Tuesday (10/5) I went to the clinic for the oncolytic virus treatment...

    After draining 6.1 litres (1.61 US gallons) ascites they injected the virus. I think it was total 4-5 injections. 1 in the abdomen through the ascites tube, 1 in IV and couple directly to liver.

    Next day I was released from hospital only suffering from fever since that is normal body reaction to the virus. Of course they took lot of bloodtests and today I visited there for some nurse "interview" checkup. Fingers & all body parts crossed that viruses kill cancer!

    All the best people! Stay positive!!

    Jussi

  2. Good people!

    Time for an update. I have doc's appointment in local hospital 10 am today and after that I'm going to call Docrates clinic in Helsinki that I'm coming to the oncolytic virus treatment next monday/tuesday.

    I visited them on Tuesday and, although it is experimental treatment (with quite promising results), I give it a go.

    This is the treatment that I've been talking about before... check www.docrates.com for additional info... and www.oncos.com

    All the best!

    Jussi

  3. Hi all

    I think I've had 8, 9 maybe 10 cycles of taxotere and I've had very mild side effects. What I've read and understood, this medicine could hit hard some people.

    Basically low blood count and loosing hair (which is grown back) were the biggest effects, oh and loosing taste for food for week or two after infusion but it comes back slowly before next infusion. Strange...

    Try to stay positive and enjoy life, even if both "tasks" feel hard sometimes.

    Jussi

  4. Hi good peoples =)

    Went for a round of Taxotere (actually it is called something else, but it's the same drug so I call it that) and bumped into my doc in the hall, she told me that she had gotter reply from genetics lab concerning my question about the ALK gene mutation. And apparently I wasn't eligible.

    Well, it was worth the shot anyway! Never leave any stones turned!

    Jussi

  5. Very exciting news! !!!!

    Actually talked to my doc about this issue. AND ALL THANKS TO YOU AND LUNGEVITY FORUM!!! Otherwise I'd never found out about these things!

    She directed my email to "genetics lab" which apparently still have my tissue sample but it turned out that I didn't have the gene mutation (I think it was for the critonizib? medicine). But it was definitely worth a shot!

    Jussi

  6. Good People!

    Just came from my oncologist and he gave the CT results... seems that the liver mets have grown a bit, and blood values indicate same thing... But seems that the lung tumor has some dead cells inside (necrosis i think is the term he used...?) and this might be a positive thing since this hasn't shown in previous CT's.

    Liver status might be because of 5 week taxotere cycle instead of previous 3 week cycle. Or then again, it might be not. So he decided to go back to 3 week regime and check later if the Taxotere still has the punch. So, I guess it was kind of good news/ bad news -visit? I don't know...

    Did some cancer registry browsing yesterday and seems that, when looking at time period 2004-2008 in 30-34 year old men in Finland (about 170 000 men), I'm the o n l y one diagnosed with NSCLC. That is 0.0006% chance.

    O, Lucky me!

    All the best!

    Jussi

  7. Good people! :D

    It's been a while again. Had taxotere yesterday, and bone mass strengthening drug too (bondronate?). I have 5 week cycle between taxotere infusions now and last couple of rounds I've noticed pain in lower abdomin - like inner muscle pain. Occurs when standing up but gets easier after standing a while. Maybe from taxotere or maybe not....

    Well, I ask about it in next doc's appointment.....

    I don't know what type of weather you guys have had this summer but in Finland it has been absolutely scorching! We had new record high in late July.... I don't mind though - since we have so long and dark winters...

    All the best to you all!!!

    Jussi

  8. Hi people

    saw my oncologist today about ct results and seems that all is stable more or less!

    Some lung nodules have grown a bit, some shrunk a bit. Liver met shrunk significally and bone mets remain stable. So, i'm a happy man and it's June people!

    Next taxotere in 5 weeks. I go to some lymph therapy also to release the swelling in the thigh/ ankle.

    Jussi

  9. Hi

    10th of June - time for some CT results....

    Meanwhile a little question... Seems that the radiation therapy to my right hip/pelvis has destroyed normal lymph activity -> my right thigh and foot has swollen. I've read something about lymph therapy massage... Is it any good? Is there anything else that can be done?

    Jussi

  10. Good People! I've written something about this before... Here's a press release about latest oncolytic virus developments; taken from www.oncos.com

    Oncolytic viruses mediating anti-tumor immunity in human cancer patients published by Oncos Therapeutics and University of Helsinki

    May 18, 2010. Helsinki, Finland – Oncos Therapeutics, a biotech company developing new cancer therapeutics based on the next generation oncolytic viruses, published today initial results from its Advanced Therapy Access Program in Cancer Research. The results demonstrate anti-tumor immunity of oncolytic viruses – published for the first time in humans – and indicate strong efficacy of the next generation viruses against solid tumor cancers. As of today, 200 patients have been treated with oncolytic virus therapy in the company’s Advanced Therapy Access Program.

    “This is the first time it has been shown in humans that oncolytic viruses can be used for induction of anti-tumor immunity. The GMCSF –armed oncolytic adenovirus can mediate anti-tumor immunologic responses by recruiting natural killer cells and by induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T-cells”, explains research professor Akseli Hemminki, CSO and co-founder of Oncos.

    “Anti-tumor immunity plays a major role in the strong efficacy results. We are starting clinical trials with CGTG-102, which is further improved compared to the virus described in this publication”, comments Pekka Simula, CEO and co-founder of Oncos.

    The Cancer Research article reports strong safety and efficacy results in patients with advanced cancer progressing after available chemotherapy options. Out of the 15 radiologically evaluable patients 2 had complete responses (13%), 5 patients had stable disease (33 %) and 1 had a partial response (6 %). Therefore, the clinical benefit rate was 47% according to the RECIST criteria. Responses were frequently seen in both injected and non-injected tumors. The safety profile was favorable with no grade 4-5 side effects realized.

    “It has been impressive to see how powerful and consistent the oncolytic adenovirus platform is for directing the body’s own immune system against tumor cells” says Dr. Vincenzo Cerullo, the scientist who led the project at the University of Helsinki Cancer Gene Therapy Group (CGTG).

    About Oncos Therapeutics

    Oncos Therapeutics develops new cancer therapies based on its next generation oncolytic viruses. The company’s unique Advanced Therapy Access Program was started in 2007 for cancer patients in whom standard-of-care therapies have failed. Today, 200 patients have undergone individually tailored oncolytic virus therapy suggesting strong safety and efficacy. The program is based on scientific research at the University of Helsinki and serves as the foundation for ongoing clinical development. Oncos Therapeutics publishes an oncolytic virus blog: www.oncolyticvirus.wordpress.com. For more information about Oncos visit: www.oncos.com.

    About oncolytic adenovirus CGTG-102

    The oncolytic virus CGTG-102 is the lead candidate of Oncos Therapeutics. This modified oncolytic adenovirus combines the established safety of adenovirus therapies with GM-CSF arming and improved tumor cell transduction via capsid modification. The unique design enables high tumor selectivity, sustained anti-tumor immune response, body-wide efficacy, and a very acceptable side effect profile. So far, 18 solid tumor cancers and 200 patients have been treated with CGTG-102, with the data suggesting broad applicability across cancer types.

    About University of Helsinki and Cancer Gene Therapy Group (CGTG)

    Founded in 2002, CGTG is the largest research group in Europe focusing on oncolytic virus therapies for the treatment of cancer. CGTG operates in the Biomedicum research and teaching institute at the University of Helsinki and consist of 27 researchers from 6 European countries. For more information about CGTG visit: www.hi.helsinki.fi/cgtg.

    All the best - Jussi

  11. Hi people, and good people I might add =)

    Had docs appointment on Thursday and seems that there's some shrinking in both, lung and liver, and also the rest are stable so we are continuing with the taxotere. So good news!

    Sun is shining and now we go to buy a new bicycle for our daughter!

    Have a nice and positive weekend!

    Jussi

  12. Good people / peoples :)

    Tomorrow is the CT time again... I've had 3 rounds of taxotere so far. The side effects have been very mild. I hope the taxotere blows the cancer cells out of the map though!

    Been on sick leave for a week after infusion and after that back to work. And we went to see Princess & Frog today with my daughter. :)

    All the best!

    Jussi

  13. Good People!

    So I'm on Taxotere now. Had the first infusion on 4th (Friday). Fingers and toes crossed it'll work!

    Tarceva is on hold at the moment. Doc said there might be bad effects taking those two meds at the same time...

    Feeling really upbeat reading all your positive news here!!! GREAT!

    Jussi

  14. Good people!

    Just back from doc. So there's slow progression. Next step - put Tarceva on hold and start Taxotere next Thursday.

    There aren't any clinical studies going on here about lung cancer that could be suitable.

    Are there any people who have had the same treatment regime as me? Going to taxotere after tarceva I mean.... I suppose it should be somewhat effective chemo anyway?

    Of course I realize that all this is just an effort to buy some more time. But I want to use every option as long as it is out there.

    And did I tell you that I truly, honestly, hate this disease.

    All the best to you

    Jussi

  15. Hi Good People

    Thanks Judy!

    "There comes a time in everyones life when you're in crossroads...."

    Ok- I guess it's decision time again. Options on the menu;

    a) despite slow progression continue with Tarceva and take taxotere later

    B) start Taxotere now (after Christmas anyway)

    They'll start radiation therapy for the spine met anyway.

    And there's also the oncolytic virus treatment card still to be played. Doc said it's up to me if I want to go there (virus treatment) already or take taxotere first and see if it helps.

    Let's take a quick poll here people... Just out of interest, what would be your choice.

    And enjoy the Christmas time good people!!!!

    Jussi

  16. Hello Good People!

    Just went to blood test today and saw my doc in the hallway while there, She's planning to get some Taxotere going on because she can't predict how fast the cancer will continue to grow.

    So, it comes down to a decision whether to wait after Christmas or start chemotherapy as soon as possible...

    But nonetheless, Christmas is coming!

    All the best!

    Jussi

  17. Hello good people!

    Ok - got back from radiation and doc called about last weeks CT results. Previous CT was in August, so these results are compared.

    Some new changes in liver. Also, what 'seems like a change' in right lung (where the main tumor/cancer is).

    Decision - continue on Tarceva and we'll hope it contunues to stay more or less slow for a few months. Then possibly chemotherapy.

    Hip / thigh has a high fracture risk so I should start use a cane/crutch.

    All the best!

    Jussi

  18. Good people!

    Went to the hospital yesterday... They are planning a 2 week radiation therapy period so I needed to go for the "simulator", where they put some aiming points for the actual treatment which starts on Monday. Also I took some bone-enhancing-drug (in lack of a better term) in IV.

    Does anybody know if the bone mets in hip /thigh cause some knee pain also?

    All the best

    Jussi

  19. Good People!!!

    Went to see doc on Tuesday and she called today about the pelvis xray. There's some mets in there and we start the radiation quite fast... there was also some discussion about putting some type of screw in the bone(?) but that wasn't decided yet. Also some medication for bones will start, i don't know the details yet.... Also the checkup CT which was scheduled for December is going to be asap.

    Doc said that don't go running and try to avoid jumping on it cause it might break.... Oh noooooo, My two favourite hobbies!!! I had planned some serious jumping for Halloween!!! =)

    Best regards Jussi

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.