Clinical trial update

I received a call from Dr. K yesterday regarding the clinical trial. It seems that it may be more difficult for me to get into than she previously indicated. First, my tumor should be IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor) positive. However, they may be including some patients who are IGF negative, so if I'm not positive, it "doesn't necessarily preclude" me. Second, the protocol requires a biopsy of a tumor seven days after beginning treatment. All of my tumors are too deep in the lungs to biopsy, so I would need a pass on that part. That, also, "doesn't necessarily preclude" me. Not very encouraging from my point of view.

To explain it as simply as possible and as much as I understand it, IGF-1R is part of a signaling system in the body that encourages the growth of many tissues, including cancerous tissues. The thinking behind this anti-IGF therapy is if the IGF-1R can be targeted, perhaps the cancerous tissue would stop growing or reproducing.

The trial starts in about three weeks. They are screening potential participants and I may have to go into the city on Friday to sign the paperwork allowing them to test my tumor samples for IGF receptors. I would also have to have bloodwork done. Dr. K is also ordering CT scans, since it's been two months since my last scans and I've been off treatment that entire time.

So there is some progress on this front but no definitive answers yet. When I know more, you'll know more.