Parp Inhibitor Trial
I have been accepted into the Parp Inhibitor trial at the University of Wisconsin (UW). I will know for sure next week depending on if there are any toxicity issues that come up that would postpone the next dosage. Otherwise, I will start on November 13th. Yes, that would be Friday the 13th… ugh.
This is a phase I trial which means that it has not been tested on humans before. The reason not to worry too much is that there are other Parp Inhibitor trials that have gone through phase I and even phase II trials from other pharmaceutical companies and the doctors say they are basically all the same. This trial is a Merck product.
Parp is an enzyme that heals cells in the body. For some reason, the Parp inhibitor seems to block the healing of cancer cells in some people who are BRCA 1 and BRCA2 positive, killing off the cancer cells while doing minimum damage to the healthy cells. I am BRCA1 positive.
The entire trial process is all about timing. They have to have an open spot and I have to meet the criteria to get in. My doctor feels this is a good opportunity for me and I feel good about trying it. It is too soon now to tell if the Doxil is working but I can always go back on the Doxil and I can’t always get into a Parp trial.
We will go up to Madison and stay with our friends Jill and Tom who live in Middleton which is just north of Madison. We are so grateful to have a place to stay vs. staying in a hotel room. It will make the situation so much nicer for us. Their home is tranquil and beautiful and we love their company and they are so happy to do it… friends are the best, aren’t they?? Did I mention that Jill and Tom are amazing cooks as well…? We may never go home!!
We will be in Middleton for the better part of a month which is cycle I of the trial. I will spend two days during that timeframe overnight in the hospital for round the clock testing and otherwise I will be outpatient. They basically test me all of the time for toxicity and effectiveness traits. If the Parp works I get to stay on it. If it doesn’t, I will go back on Doxil or try something else. I still have options and that is the most important thing right now.
The past week has been tough physically. The CA-125 jumped from 258 in September to 1338 six weeks later. This seems like a big jump, doesn’t it? I can feel the tightness and the change in my digestion so I have changed my diet radically to help prevent any blockages from happening. I am hanging in there though and grateful on a daily basis to have Sean, my friends and family supporting me.
More later… Love, Marissa
This is a phase I trial which means that it has not been tested on humans before. The reason not to worry too much is that there are other Parp Inhibitor trials that have gone through phase I and even phase II trials from other pharmaceutical companies and the doctors say they are basically all the same. This trial is a Merck product.
Parp is an enzyme that heals cells in the body. For some reason, the Parp inhibitor seems to block the healing of cancer cells in some people who are BRCA 1 and BRCA2 positive, killing off the cancer cells while doing minimum damage to the healthy cells. I am BRCA1 positive.
The entire trial process is all about timing. They have to have an open spot and I have to meet the criteria to get in. My doctor feels this is a good opportunity for me and I feel good about trying it. It is too soon now to tell if the Doxil is working but I can always go back on the Doxil and I can’t always get into a Parp trial.
We will go up to Madison and stay with our friends Jill and Tom who live in Middleton which is just north of Madison. We are so grateful to have a place to stay vs. staying in a hotel room. It will make the situation so much nicer for us. Their home is tranquil and beautiful and we love their company and they are so happy to do it… friends are the best, aren’t they?? Did I mention that Jill and Tom are amazing cooks as well…? We may never go home!!
We will be in Middleton for the better part of a month which is cycle I of the trial. I will spend two days during that timeframe overnight in the hospital for round the clock testing and otherwise I will be outpatient. They basically test me all of the time for toxicity and effectiveness traits. If the Parp works I get to stay on it. If it doesn’t, I will go back on Doxil or try something else. I still have options and that is the most important thing right now.
The past week has been tough physically. The CA-125 jumped from 258 in September to 1338 six weeks later. This seems like a big jump, doesn’t it? I can feel the tightness and the change in my digestion so I have changed my diet radically to help prevent any blockages from happening. I am hanging in there though and grateful on a daily basis to have Sean, my friends and family supporting me.
More later… Love, Marissa
posted by Marissa at
9:37 AM
3 Comments:
Dearest Marissa - I think we could all benefit from going deep and allowing ourselves to feel afraid, joy,sadness, etc. Most of us don't let ourselves feel anything, completely. I don't think we can truly experience joy and happiness without feeling fear and sadness. I struggle with this all of the time, and I admire you for experieincing life at its fullest (all of life). I was raised a Buddhist, and I am only now understanding what he meant when he said that Life is Suffering. He went on to feel peace and enlightenment through this suffering, and I am beginning to understand. I am very proud of you Marissa. Tiza
By
Anonymous, at 9:05 PM
I was thinking of you yesterday on the train home, about how SPECTACULAR and SPECIAL you are. Thank you for coming on to my journey of life. Bless you dear. Each and every step you take on this section of your journey will be lit with love and courage. Love you Marissa, angie
By
Angie Ng, at 10:09 AM
Dear Marissa,
My wife is in the MK4827 trial at UW-Madison. She is BRCA1 positive and began treatment in August with a CA125 of almost 1,000. In the two months prior to starting treatment her CA125 jumped from around 200 to almost 1,000 which seems to be alot like your recent history.
At her last check up earlier this month, her CA125 was below 50 and steadily dropping with each followup. More importantly, it seems that a high proportion of BRCA1 patients in the trial have experienced similar results.
Take heart and good luck with the trial!!!!
By
Anonymous, at 6:06 AM
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