Avastin

[ehr]

I have been on Avastin by itself every three weeks now for over 11 months and my CA125 continues to simply fluctuate in the 300s - 500s. When I started Avastin my CA 125 was in the mid 700s. For all intensive puroses this has benn a pretty good year since Avastin is so very tolerable. I feel fortunate to be a 6 year survivor of stage 4 dx in 2002 but of course you always worry - "whats next"  Can the Avastin continue to keep my disease stable and for how much longer,Is there any data? Finally I guess when I again see my CA125 start to rise quickly again what would you recommend as the next course of action, just add an oral cytoxin? stick with Avastin in combo with some tried and true prior treatmnets. Taxol was the most effective a couple years back and knocked the socks out of the Ca125 before it stopped working its magic. Doxil. The Platinums are out . allergic to them at this point. Is there anything new right on the horizon that could be considered. I am ready to start year 7 and hope there are more and more options out there to continue on. thanks over the years for all advise you offered.

[jane65]

Hi, Since Topo  alone is working, he doesn't feel the need for Avastin at this time, he said we'll hold it for the future, but I will discuss it with him again.  Wonderful, something else to look forward to. Feel good, glad to hear from you, you're one of my new heroes! Jane

[ehr]

your both correct, they are using Avistan in conjunction with Taxol and carboplatin in a trial on newly diagnosed patients as a first line treatmnet

[crecco]

ehr,
  I absolutely love stories like yours. I am close to the 3 year mark at stage IV and you just help to boost my hopes even more.
I agree, Avastin is only the begining. I was recently taken off of a combo of avastin/abraxane due to a reaction I was begining to have to the abraxane. Plus my CA was starting to rise. We did a few treatments with avastin only with no luck, so I switched to oral etoposide. My onc said the whole time I was on the avastin combo, that even if my CA did not keep dropping, as long as it remained stable he would keep me on it as long as posssible.
  He has also told me that at some point we can try it again, either alone or with something else. Which I was happy to hear. I had 8 months with that combo which was the longest anything has worked for me yet. When I first asked him how long I could recieve the avastin, he told me as long as it worked!
So I hope that it will continue working for you for a long time.

  Jane, your Dr was right, it is close to being approved for ov ca, just isn't quite there yet. That is why so many have such a hard time getting there insurance to approve it. I do not quite understand what he said either. It is my understanding that they are trying it in combo with first line treatments but it is being used further down the line also. It was the fifth chemo I was on. The person on the other forum gave you good advise. Get your Dr to request it for you, then contact the drug company because they may possibly help you. But only resort to that if your insurance denies it for you.
  Good luck.
        Chris

[jane65]

Yesterday I was at my oncologist for my Topotecan chemo treatment for relapsed ovca and asked him about Avastin, he said it's close to being approved for ovca, but the insurance companies are reluctant, or refusing to approve it. He said something I didn't quite understand, that it's being mostly used for combination first line treatments. I was disappointed since I've been reading so many good responses to the drug. Someone on another forum had advised contacting the drug co. directly, and having my onco. office to get paperwork requesting it for me. Any suggestions? Jane

[jamiann5]

I am somewhat new to the forum and yours words are wonderful for me.  Six years since dx!!  Are you considered plantium resistant?  My mom was dx with IIIC in april of 07 and is now on avastin/cytoxan/methotrexate.  Her CA125 continues to drop and she is getting her next CT this friday.  For the most part, she feels wonderful and is very active.  She has had issues with nosebleeds, but hopefully they are done now that she increased her blood pressure meds.  Have you had any side effects with the Avastin?  Good luck with everything!
jamie

[Aussie000]

I was thinking about you recently so I was happy to see you posted an update. That's excellent news that you continue to do well and that Avastin appears to be doing a good job. My mother starts Avastin,Gemzar & Carbo next week, she's stage 4 also, I've heard that Avastin makes you very tired but thats a small price to pay considering. I wish you all the best and continued good health and please keep checking in with updates.

[Hazel30]

thank you for posting.  I dont have any suggestions but I wanted to share that my Mom is also on the avastin/cytoxan combo for 3c.  Next month will be 3 years since dx.  Just today my Mom and I were talking how hopeful we are on these drugs and all the positive results I've heard from them.  11 Months with stable disease is great, just gives everyone on this board more hope by hearing that.  Yes you are right, I have to agree, that avastin is the way for future and hopefully this is only the beginning.  I wish you many more years with great results.
Fiana

[ehr]

Just met with my doctor who is very happy with the results of my last blood test so we continue but he did say that he wont go the route of oral cytoxin - he is leaning towards Nexavar as the next course of action. Hopefully not for a while. I do think that Avastin either alone or in conjunction with other treatments are the way of the future and they have only scratched the surface. The best to all

[Mags711]

I love hearing stories like yours, it gives me great hope for the future.  I am on the trial for patupilone right now.  I have either constant diarrhea or constipation, but I am alive and I get to be with my husband and kids for another day!

I will be going back to the carbo/taxol regimen and my onc has suggested he would like to add avastin to the combo.  I will do whatever it takes for those extra days.  I visualize my self in a nice, long remission about this time next year.  I hope to be you in six years!  My thoughts are with you for a long, happy life.
Maggie

[Tybear]

I agree...6 years out is amazing! Thanks for posting your update...it kind of brings much needed hope to those of us really struggling right now - it can be done!
I take the daily cycolophosphamide pill and will begin the Avastin again next week. Honestly, the pill is like taking nothing - no side effects at all. My hair thinned out a little bit, but I was also under a lot of stress and I'm sure that didn't help. I would try adding that to your regime. It can't hurt at this point...
I have had quite a bit of success with this combo. I stopped the Avastin in June due to financial reasons, but continued to take the pill every day and it's held my disease stable - no progression at all.
I wish you many more years of continued success...may year 7 be one of your best :)
Becky

[PinkTissue]

Wow 6 yrs at stage 4! That is great news! My mum is 6 months out of chemo and everyday feels like walking on egg shells.

I am afraid I cannot offer any advice but I hope that you would find an answer soon. May you have another 6 years (and more!)