I had my monthly appointment at the Clinical Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina today. I talked with Dr. O., and then Rey, the research nurse, about a few trials in which I can participate. As you know, I’m terrified of SCT, so I’m saving that for another time. There are 2 trials I’m thinking about. One is the monoclonal antibody for IL-6 that I’ve spoken about before. The other is a Velcade vs. Velcade + Doxil trial. Dr. O. recommends the Velcade trial because it has the greatest (known) possibility of a CR for me. It’s a phase III trial. I still have to read the informed consent documents to learn more about it.
Before I do anything though, I’m going to try high dose dex once more. I’ll take 40 mg of dex for 4 days, then take 4 days off (x3). While dex seems to be less and less effective for me, Dr. O. prefers to exhaust one therapy before starting the next. That makes perfect sense. The high dose therapy may reduce my disease enough so that I can take the 4 weeks off from treatment that’s required for either of the trials.
I have to think about what approach I want to take. The IL-6 thingie is known to be pretty well tolerated, but it’s a phase I trial. The dosage hasn’t been worked out. It works in vitro, but we’d be the first humans to be treated with this specific stuff. After I read the informed consent, I’ll be able to tell you more.
I’m psyching up to take my first dex dose soon… I really have to watch my blood sugar!