Who is using thalidomide and is it working for you?

[freshair]

Hi everyone,

I know Annie that you are doing it with topotecan. I wrote that down--my memory is so bad I have notes all over!!!

You know thalidomide turns everyone off because of the pictures instilled in our minds, but if you were pregnant and on chemo the same thing would happen.

So I'd love to know who else is on it and how is it helping you?

Thanks,
Helen

[Jatoo]

Dear Helen:

Here'e some statistic that can help you decide about Thalomid or Thalidomide.
In one randomized trial of 37 patients receiving Topotecan and 28 patients that took Topotecan and Thalidomide, the response rate on the latter was 50% compared to 22% that only took Topotecan. Response rate means that the drugs reduced or got rid of the cancer for a period of time.

In another clinical trial done in Stanford that involved 17 patients that were treated with Thalomid alone during a period ranging from two months to two(2) years, 53% had an anticancer response or cancer stabilization. After one year 67% of these patients that responded experienced no progression of their disease. Resaerches concluded that Thalomid was a safe and potentially effective strategy for some patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Thalomid is similar to Avastin since both are antiangionesis drugs. Meaning that they inhibit blood vessel formation that feed tumors or food and nutrients or blood supply so eventually the tumors die or they cannot form new ones.

I have not seen clinical trials with Thalomid and Gemzar, but I would suppose that it is possible to use it with Thalomid just like we could use Avastin with Gemzar or Topotecan which our Chief Gyn Onc recommended basing it on GOG studies.

In a way these studies support your decision to forgo just Gemzar alone because of the possiblity of success or failure.

I hope this can help you in anyway possible. Let's keep on praying.

All the best,

Jatoo