BREAKING NEWS: Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) immunotherapy has been approved for MSI-HIGH CRC!!!
The title says it all, although it should also be noted that this approval also covers other/all MSI-high cancers, not just MSI-HIGH CRC!. Links below. The first time a checkpoint immunotherpy (pembrolizumab (Keytruda)) is a PD1 inhibitor Immunotherapy) has been approved based upon a genetic marker (in this case MSI-Status – something I first described here back in 2015! (Stephen profiled in that 2015 article continues to do awesome by the way with no evidence of disease!)
It should be noted that only 15-20% of cases of CRC are MSI-high (and only about 5% of Stage IV patients) but we are all apart of the CRC family and indeed a part of the overall Stage IV family no matter what the ribbon color!
I am beyond ecstatic for me MSI-high CRC brother and sisters! I have been 100% sure this approval would happens due to the continuous wave of success stories in the patient message boards and online communities – it has just been a question of not if, not WHEN. And today that when happened!!
THIS IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR ALL CRC PATIENTS TO KNOW THEIR MSI STATUS!!!
Here are the links:
https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm560167.htm
To LIFE!!!
-Tom
Wow, great news! Thanks for sharing!
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This is such great news for those who had run out of options. And hopefully other new options are in the pipeline for the rest of us. Every possible option for those with cancer brings hope for the rest of us.
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It’s so encouraging we’re pursuing the refinement and selectivity of immunotherapy. I was a strong responder to high dose inf-A with infused 5-fu (clear cell mRCC). I was also a partial responder to high dose IL-2. Those broad approachs were tough. My own immune system has kept everything slow since the surgeries but I’m losing ground. Someday the solutions we’ll be there.
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I am so happy for everyone dealing with CRC. I only wish my mother was still here to give it a try as she had stage IV CRC. The news brings a tear in my eye & a smile on my face!
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Great news! Karin
From: AdventuresInLivingTerminallyOptimistic To: monnetts@sbcglobal.net Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 4:41 PM Subject: [New post] BREAKING NEWS: Pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) immunotherapy has been approved for MSI-HIGH CRC!!! #yiv8807542459 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv8807542459 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv8807542459 a.yiv8807542459primaryactionlink:link, #yiv8807542459 a.yiv8807542459primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv8807542459 a.yiv8807542459primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv8807542459 a.yiv8807542459primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv8807542459 WordPress.com | marsilje posted: “The title says it all, although it should also be noted that this approval also covers other/all MSI-high cancers, not just MSI-HIGH CRC!. Links below. The first time a checkpoint immunotherpy (pembrolizumab (Keytruda)) is a PD1 inhibitor Immunotherapy)” | |
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Thank you, Tom, for this amazing news! I go for my 12th Keytruda infusion tomorrow and will discuss this with my doctor. I feel so good, Keytruda is working for me so far with my Stage 4 MSI high CRC. You are in my prayers each night, I know you have been facing some real tough challenges. My eternal thanks for your wonderful website that keeps us informed, educated and hopeful. TO LIFE!!
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This is very exciting for me to hear, though I am in Canada and I don’t know how quickly things change here. I finished my Folfox earlier this year and feel hopeful that I am done. (Stage 3) But in the event of a recurrence this is definitely the path I want to take!
Beth
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Any update on approval for Keytruda or Nivolumab in Canada?
Regards
Harshey
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My husband just had his second Keytruda treatment yesterday. We believe it’s working and he doesn’t have many side effects. He had terrible side effects to the opioids and he’s off all pain meds. We feel blessed to have this chance!
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