My husband was treated with Tarceva ( erlotinib ) an EGFR inhibitor drug following diagnosed with Advanced stage Iv NSC Lung cancer for nearly 15 months after non responding to several courses of double agents chemotherapy. Unfortunately he developed resistant mutation and tarceva was no longer effective resulting in tumour progression and several metastatic lymph nodes enlargement . He was offered to participate in Phase I trial of AZD9291 drug developed by Astra Zenica. He is one of new participant on very dose AZD9291 ( 160 mg ) daily for the past 7-8 weeks his recent CT scan on 21/10/2013 has been promising. He had intractable diarrhoea & abdominal cramps associated with extreme tiredness & some weight loss with such high dose. He is now taking reduced dose 80 mg daily since 28/10/13 feel much better although still suffers from loose motions. He feels more settled and positive with AZD 9291 treatment so far. The results from other European trial centres has been encouraging showing 58 percent response even at lower dose. He feels it is worthwhile treatment with mild/moderate side effects.
DougGuitarPlayer :
My wife was treated with Tarceva since being diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC on March 29th, 2013. As of today, the tumors are again growing and therefore becoming resistant to the Tarceva. Her doctor at Dana Farber recommends getting into the trial for AZD 9291, however, we were told that the trial at Dana Farber is currently closed, and may reopen in January 2014. It is not clear whether you will need to demonstrate a T790M mutation to be accepted into the trial. By the way, the recommended plan C was chemo and continue Tarceva for a period.
There was also some discussion whether getting into a Clovis trial would be a better option, but that is not offered at Dana Farber.
Given that we have few options we are hoping to hear some positive stories from the trials of AZD 9291.
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Diceros :
We live in the UK where AZD9291 is on clinical trial. My wife has been taking it for about six months. It has reduced her tumour by about two-thirds so far. The side effects have been minimal. The hope of course is that this drug will not only shrink the tumour but stop it regrowing and spreading.