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With my most recent CT scan continuing to show no sign of progression and my circulating tumor DNA tests showing no evidence of disease, my oncologist informed me that my Keytruda (pembrolizumab) infusions can stop at 36 (2 years). This first 7 infusions were part of 7 cycles of Padcev (enfortumab vedotin - 14 infusions) and Keytruda. This duration was determined in the KEYNOTE trials of Keytruda with various cancers including advanced urothelial cell carcinoma.
I began treatment on Dec 11, 2023 - 36 Keytruda infusions brings me to Dec 19, 2025. A nurse in the infusion suite said that they will miss me but will celebrate that day with me. Here's to a Merry Christmas after 14 more sessions in the chair.
7 Comments
Peter
3/5/2025 03:36:02 pm
Congratulations! Hopefully, you will experience a durable response with permanent remission! Will you continue with both signatera and northstar every three months? I had blood drawn for both this morning and will do my fourth and last ddmvac tomorrow. To be followed by opdivo for one year most likely.
Jon D Treffert
3/6/2025 01:11:29 pm
Thanks! I do expect to continue surveillance with ctDNA - I'm guessing Response - but I expect either will show recurrence before imaging. I pray that your ctDNA results are good and continue to be so and that you tolerate OPDIVO well.
Peter
3/9/2025 12:57:32 pm
Thanks! There is a chance surgery removed everything. According to research at Sinai that is the case in approximately a third of locally advanced patients. The fourth month ctdna will be revealing. Quite a few studies indicate that time point to be prognostic. Some patients also have successful removal with chemotherapy. Same with immunotherapy.
PETER
3/13/2025 09:10:09 am
My oncologist is withholding opdivo for now as I am negative. He suspects I may be cured. He does not want to use up opdivo and then not be able to use keytruda in case we need it in the future. So ctdna for the time being.
PETER
3/13/2025 09:08:47 am
My 2025-03-05 signatera was negative. Praise the Lord! Waiting on B2O results.
PETER
3/14/2025 05:29:55 pm
NS showed 31 so not < 25. TBD what is next. I asked my oncologist if we should start Opdivo. Wait to see what is next.
Jon Treffert
3/17/2025 12:50:53 pm
Very glad to hear of negative Signatera! Praying for wisdom regarding on next step. A second B2O test might be helpful. Leave a Reply. |
AuthorI began a health journey in the fall of 2017 - losing 100 lbs and reversing type II diabetes. Archives
March 2025
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