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Just got the results of my latest PET scan, and after the third course of chemo, am still not in remission (stage IV at diagnosis), but there is improvement. My cancer is now resistant to platinum, taxol, topotecan and gemzar. My oncologist wants to put me on Hexalen. Have any of you ladies been on it, did it work, and what were the side effects?
Wellbutrin Cancer Taxol Surgery Prozac Carboplatin Ovarian cancer
I have heard of it. But don't know anything. Did they try Doxil? You sound good,,hope you get good results.
Wasn't even suggested. I was wondering about Doxil. Several people I know have had good results with it. Anyway, am on a 3 month chemo holiday. We'll do new CA 125 and PET scans in December and take it from there.
I am so sorry you didn't get better news regarding your PET. If you do the Doxil, there is some evidence of taking Prozac, an antidepressant, which has a boosting effect with the Doxil as it makes the cancer cells more sensitive to the Doxil. If I ever have to go on it, I plan to ask to be put on the Prozac as it is not a clinical study and what would I have to lose...I take an antidepressant Wellbutrin so could just switch to Prozac. I know you must be glad to get a break from chemo. I pray that the cancer will not grow and you can be chemofree for a long time. I don't know anything about Hexalen.
Quacker
The original studies with oral-dose Hexalen (Altretamine) in refractory ovarian cancer showed high response rates (confirmed by a number of individual assays), but the most recent large follow up study showed only a modest response rate. Go figure!
Hi, I hope you are doing well.
I read your last post on Biofocus that you used to see which chemos work for you. You mention above that you are resistant to platinum, taxol, topotecan and gemzar. Did the work at Biofocus tell you that or was that learned from trying them? Now the Hexalen, did Biofocus give you that suggestion as well? Overall, I am just trying to learn about the benefits you received from that testing. I think it sounds like a great idea, but want to learn more from someone who has tried it.
Thanks, Kim
I was on Hexalen for maintenance - to start with I took 9 pills daily for 2 weeks and then 2 weeks off - that was a little too much for me so they cut me back to 7 pills a day, same schedule. I was extremely tired and nauseous the whole time. That lasted about 8 months when I started getting tremors in my hands and extreme neuropathy in my feet - The hexalen was causing extremely high ammonia levels which caused the tremors - Dr. stopped Hexalen after this as he was afraid I wouldn't be able to feel my feet at all. He said it was unusual to have these side effects. I completed the year of maintenance of carbo alone. Tumors came back within 3 years. I didn't like it at all, but then who does like any kind of chemo?
Initial chemosensitivity studies done at the time of surgery showed no response to taxol or any other taxanes. After treatment, developed resistance to carboplatin and topotecan. The Biofocus analysis recommended Gemzar as the best bet, and it did work well for the first three cycles of my last course of chemo. In fact, my CA 125 dropped from 140 to 19 after just two doses, not even a full cycle. Unfortunately, my tumor has several genes for multiple drug resistance and soon became resistant to the Gemzar.
I was on Hexalen about ten years ago
I was put on it after chemo after a recurrence
I was on it for a years 9 pills a day two weeks
on two weeks off.
It was a little rough feels like you are always tired
and need to eat before taking the pills.
I got through it but my cancer returned after 7 yrs
but I just finish more chemo and I am fine
The Hexalen was a treatment after the chemo
to kill any remaining cells.
I can't say weather it worked or not it gave me
seven years and now I am back in remission.
We have to take anything they give us to fight this
never stop fighting. Sometime it works and sometimes it doesn't. Like my doctor says everyone is different and don't compare the treatment of someone else.
Just take it and think possitive.
I am 15 years now with two recurrences so never give up
I wish you gods blessings
Anita
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