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Shadow - starting Chemo with new protocol Gemzar
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Member Since:
13 January 2009
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18 February 2009 - 4:44 pm
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Hello all,

Shadow's almost 3 weeks post-amputation, and today he went in for his first chemo treatment.  Our oncologists have offered us the choice of 2 protocols - Carboplatin w/Adriamyicin, or Carboplatin w/Gemzar (gemcitibine).   The Gemzar protocol is in clincial trials right now for veterinary use, and we have opted to start Shadow on this newer protocol. The chief oncologist in our facility thinks this will work just as well as Adriamyicin if not better.  From my research and information that was provided to us from our oncologist, Gemzar has known activity against several human cancers and is currently being evaluated in the treatment of human pediatric osteosarcoma. It has also been used with success in treating human lung, breast, pancreatic and ovarian cancers.

For those in the New Englanding area, the New England Veterinary Oncology group is currently doing a clincial trial that funds the cost of the chemotherapy drug:  http://www.nevo.....coma_study .  If this is something that local pawrents are interested in, please click the link for more information.  Unfortunately, with us being on the West Coast, we did not qualify for this trial but we are going through our local oncologist's partially funded trial.

I haven't seen anything on this forum as of yet on any of the other fur babies on the Gemzar protocol.  Has anybody read or have any additional information that might be useful?

Will update more when Shadow returns later on how his reaction/side effects to this treatment.  Hugs and Kisses to everybody!

Tina and Spirit Shadow

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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18 February 2009 - 8:31 pm
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Thanks for sharing the link to that clinical trial! I haven't heard of the protocol, but Gemzar has been mentioned in the forums here. Maybe Dr. Wiltzius (TazzieDog) can provide some more input.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
28 July 2008
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18 February 2009 - 11:01 pm
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Hey Shadow

Titan went to Nevog in Manchester, NH. I have heard of the Gemzar study. Titan started chemo shortly after they started the study. They reason we opted not to do it was because they only had a couple of dogs (maybe 3 at most) and none had been more than a couple of months. So without anymore information I was too scared to try it. I also tried to contact Ohio State to see if they could give me any stats they had but no one returned my email or calls. If they had been further along or if we had known the regular chemo approach wouldn't have worked for Titan I probably would have tried it but who knew…..I did post a topic awhile back  Ohio State Gemzar Chemotherapy Study on July 31st

I am very interested to see how it works. Also if anyone in New England would like to hear my experience with NEVOG I would be happy to give them a recommendation or answer any questions. They are located in Waltham, Mass, Manchester, NH and now are in Portsmouth, NH once a week.

Heidi

Member Since:
13 January 2009
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18 February 2009 - 11:54 pm
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Thanks for pointing me in the right direction Jerry!  I should have done a search in the forum, but novice me,  I was just trying to look at the more recent post topics.  DUH! 

Heidi - I totally understand how you felt about the Gemzar approach.  When the oncologist brought it up as an option, I was pretty sure that we would go with what was tried and tested.  There really isn't alot on paper right now on Gemzar, since it's so fairly new and in the clinical testing phase.  But the chief oncologist at the office, she was able to convince me that in her opinion, Gemzar would work just as well as the Carboplatin/Adriamyicin, if not better.  And there really is nothing to lose. She would choose the same for her dog if she had to make the decision.  I don't know why I feel inclined to trust her..but for some reason I do!  I hope and pray this is the right decision.  And to be able to participate in this study, hopefully this will help others find a new, more promising treatment/cure for this nasty disease. 

Shadow is home now, resting.  He's more so tired from all the activity and excitement of being out and around new people, than from the chemo itself.  They told us that side effects most likely won't rear until the next day or so.  The treatment is in a form of 4 cycles, which goes a little something like this:

Week 1: Carboplatin, 4 hour rest period, then Gemzar  (Shadow stays at the office for about 5 hours total)

Week 2: Gemzar (30 mins)

Week 3:  Blood work

If blood work looks good, then rinse and repeat the following week to start a new cycle until 4 full cycles are completed.  The dosage of Gemzar increases with each cycle.

Hope to hear more from others who have been down the Gemzar path.  I will continue to post on our journey. 

Thanks!

Tina and Shadow

Tina and Spirit Shadow


Member Since:
22 August 2008
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19 February 2009 - 1:02 pm
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I have heard of this drug but there were no trials in our area and I really didn't want to travel far with Tazzie being so big.  I know that others here have tried it, usually after getting lung mets but I think they have all been lost to follow-up because I don't remember hearing about any final results.

There is still no perfect chemo plan for OSA so if your oncologist is recommending it then I guess I would try it!  As long as you are also using carboplatin then you should be okay.

Pam and Tazzie

Member Since:
24 January 2009
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19 February 2009 - 7:49 pm
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Hi Heidi,

We are going to NEVOG. We're seeing Dr. Romasik. who did you see there? how did you like it? I would love to hear about your experience there. 

Holly and Marley

Member Since:
13 January 2009
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20 February 2009 - 1:10 pm
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During my research on Gemzar, I came across a clinical trial they have ongoing at UC Davis in California, that is using an inhalant form of Gemzar to treat lung mets in canine osteosarcoma.  From what I can interpret, the dog wears a head mask for 20 mins, while inhaling  aerosolized gemcitibine, 2 x a week.  This trial covers the cost of drugs and equipment.

Here is the link   http://www.vetm.....  it is the second trial on the list.  There is a contact number if anybody in the area is interested! 

Shadow did really well after his first round of Carboplatin and Gemzar.  It's been almost 48 hours since the treatment, he didn't experience any vomiting or diarrhea.  Although he may have been a little nauseous the first 24 hours, he didnt want to eat yesterday morning but I gave him some Reglan and he was able to eat a normal lunch and some dinner. But we had friends over yesterday evening and he was up and playing like nobody's business. Laugh

Tina and Shadow

Tina and Spirit Shadow

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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20 February 2009 - 10:31 pm
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Thanks so much for this extensive information on the trial, we know others will find it very useful.
Good to hear you're doing so well, Shadow. Keep on playing and hamming it up!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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