ANYONE HAD HEXALEN?

Just wondering if anyone has had Hexalen? Topotecan doesn't seem to be working for me, and Hexalen is one that my Oncol. has suggested. Any input would be much appreciated, and I hope you are all doing well.  Best wishes...Helmar...

[Mobydick]

Hi, Steve Here, how many sessions have you taken, as Vi was told it might not show until after the 3rd session. Vi has the option to take Hexalen if topotegan fails to work, but at present her CA has dropped from before treatment 4500, 1st session 1350 to now 836 on her 3rd. At least you can take heagan from home as it a tablet form, just have to go in for blood test so Vi's Dr says. Good luck. Steve

[Helmar]

Hi Steve... thanks for your reply, and I hope Vi continues to do well with the Topotecan. I'm going for CA.125 test tomorrow after two lots of 5 days sessions with the Topo.. but so far the CA.125 has sky-rocketed. Should be interesting to see what it is tomorrow, and if it has come down. If it's not working I have some options, one being Hexalen, and one other is to go on a Phase 3 trial for Phenoxodiol, which I believe is being trialled also in U.S., Europe, as well as Australia. The only problem for me going on the trial is, if I don't get the Phenoxodiol, then it will be placebo with Carboplatin, which doesn't work for me anyhow. I'm not able to take the platins... so it's a dilemma at the moment.
But, thanks for your reply. Wishing you and Vi all the best, and hoping for great news for Vi.  Best wishes..Helmar.

[Jatoo]

Dear Helmar:

1. Phenoxodiol sounds very encouraging in the sense that it is both antiangiogenetic and chemosensitizer. Even if it does not work on as an antiangiogenetic, it makes chemo sensitive again. Which means you take a standard drug afterwards.

2. Another option to consider if you cannot take Gemzar plus weekly taxol(lower doses and response rate is more than 70%(had a benefit) studied only for platinum-resistant patients in a phase 2 study at USC and which you can find on the web); is just weekly taxol which changes the mechanism of a monthly taxol from being platinum resistant to platinum sensitive by using it weekly, in smaller dosage of course so it's not a strain on the blood.

3. My wife will start with two(2) antiangiogenesis inhibitors (no random selection)on Monday and one of them is Avastin (can have perforation of intestine but now down to 3% chance and none in one of latest trial with 66 patients.) This trial had patients with complete response, meaning it completely shrunk tumors with normal CA 125. Our Onc recommended Gemzar alone (I doubt it's response rate). The best part-she'll be free from chemo for awhile.

4. Finding a cure besides chemo will be wonderful. And killing the food supply of tumors and starve them to death is a major step (antiangiogenesis). When tumors are already weak then you can finish them with chemo.

I'll pray for your choice Helmar and pray for Melody too. I will relate this to her.

All the best,
Jatoo

[Helmar]

Hi Jatoo... Good to hear from you, and I'll be praying for Melody too, hoping for a good and long remission for her. I've tried Gemzar, but didn't do any good with that... all pain and no gain, as it was the worst thing for my blood. I needed transfusions for both red cells and platelets with that one. I didn't mind going through that, but the CA.125 hardly moved. I'm not having much luck with the chemos, so that's why I need something positive now. Phenoxodiol sounds like a good thing, but there is the possibility that I could get placebo and Carboplatin, so I'm not so sure about going for the trial. I've been in touch with another lady who had some success with Hexalen, but it stopped working after a few rounds. I guess it's 'hit and miss' with any of this stuff... just got to hope that we get one that works. I've heard good things about Avastin with the only problem at the time, being the perforated bowel, but if they have that under control now, that could be a good one, but I'm not sure if we have that one here.
Anyhow, thanks for your input... it's always welcome as you seem to have a good knowledge of this stuff. :-)
Best wishes to you and Melody... and hoping for great news for her... Helmar.

[Jatoo]

Dear Helmar:

There are so many angiogenesis inhibitors besides Avastin, You can also ask for VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor- the protein that feeds tumors) Trap, etc. Research clinical trials in your area like the NIH (National Institute if Health in the US or your equivalent there). I have been reading so many success stories of patients benefiting from this drug (shrinking tumors and lowering of CA 125) (See Acor.org).

Jatoo

[freshair]

Dear Helmar -- I've never heard of it. I'm just wishing you all the very best that the next cocktail works whichever one you choose. I'll be praying that its your Christmas light from above.
Helen

[Helmar]

Thankyou Jatoo and Helen... it's good to get you thoughts on this. I see my Oncol.later today, so it should be interesting to see how the blood tests and Ct scan came up....and what he intends for me next. I've heard that the Phenoxodiol is getting good reports from around, and if I could be guaranteed that I would get it, I would be tempted to go on the Phase 3 trial, but I don't really want to chance getting placebo and Carbo that doesn't work for me, at this crucial stage. (CA.125 over 5000).....
Wishing you both well... (btw, I'm Helen too :-)  )
Have great weekend....Helmar.