Tarceva & Avastin

I have been recently diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC. My doctor has prescribed Tarceva (150 mg). I just had my first "re-staging" visit on 7/1/05 and learned that my lung tumor has shrunk approximately 10% - YEAH! Although Tarceva is working for me now, I have read several articles indicating that a combo of Tarceva and Avastin works really well at shrinking lung tumors. When I asked my doctor about it, she said that it was not an "approved" therapy yet and that insurance would not cover it until it was "approved" - the results in the articles were "preliminary". My doctor also told me that Avastin costs approximately $33,000 for a month's supply - which, obviously is cost-prohibitive for anyone without insurance authorization. Is anyone taking this combo? If so, how were you able to pay for the Avastin? How are the results?
Thanks!

Hi, my father was dx with NSCLC stage IV last October. He was on Tarceva for 2 months (May & June of 05). During his time on Tarceva he felt pretty good except for a terrible rash on his face and upper body. We had the results a few weeks ago and apparently Tarceva didn't work for him. He how has fluid on his lung and a new lymph node showed up positive on the PET scan. We are now trying Avastin with Alimta chemo. My Dads insurance is coving the payment even though it has not been approved yet. He has Atena insurance. Check with the financial person at your health care facility. Apparently some insurance companies are paying for the treatment. We were just thrilled to hear that ours was one of the paying companies. We hope this is a sign that this will be drug that works for my dad. We really are in need of some good news. If your insurance will not pay check with Genentech the company that makes Avastin. My brother works for them and said that the company is reimbursing some lung cancer patients for Avastin treatments until the approval is done. I wish you luck in getting the drug payed for.

Dear soon-to-be-victor: I give you the maxim from the very first SCUBA lesson: "Never, never, never hold your breath!" Which brings to mind the most famous speech of Sir W.Churchill(and the only one of less than several thousand words!):"Nevah, nevah nevah give up!!!" Good news is too rare in this forum! Thank you, and keep it up! Meanwhile, save your spare change, and visit the nearest Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
clinic; for as sure as there is a God in heaven,
cancer cells cannot live in an oxygen-rich environment, and for the first time in history, there is less than the norm of O2 in our atmosphere at sea level, and still less at upper
regions...why there is more(cancer)in Denver than in Houston(?!?)God bless you all the way to recovery,
in Jesus Name! Sincerely, and in celebration, Michael L M., ND

Thanks for the responses! I will check with my benefits director today and, if I cannot get approval with my insurance company, I will contact the drug manufacturer - great advice! I wish your Dad all the best....

My husband received Avastin last year at the University of Michigan. As far as I know it was approved last year. Our insurance company paid for every treatment. I think it was approved in either Jan or Feb of 2004. Hope this helps. If I can find the article I will try to write you back and tell you where to find it. Good Luck,

Hello, I'm writing you again because my husband received Avastin for colorectal cancer and maybe it hasn't been approved for lung cancer yet. this could be the reason your doctor said it wasn't approved yet.

Yes - that is the problem. Insurance will pay for Avastin with traditional IV chemo treatments for lung cancer patients, but will not pay for it with Tarceva - even though the combo had produced significant results. I'm goint to try to contact the drug manufacturer and I will post what I learn.... Thanks for all the response!
God bless....

My mom has just obtained insurance approval for the avastin. Her doctor discussed the situation and they said they would pay. You should have the doctor call your insurance company. Good luck.

How is the Avastin/Alimta working? What are his side effects? My husband has stage 4 lung cancer. He was given 8 mths to live. We have added 10mg of Singulair at night and 200mg Celebrex Morning and evening to his regime. He has been stable for over 2 years now. Please do research on how these 2 drugs effect leukotrienes.

He is on Traceva. He just had slight bone progression and we are considering Avastin or Alimta, but had not heard of the combination.

Thank you

My husband has Stage 4 NSCLC and been on a clinical trial called Erbitux (cetuximab) since diagnosed in March 2005. It's been keeping things stable up until now. His bone mets have gotten worse so I think he will have to go off of the clinical trial.

I believe that his doctor is recommending Alimta and Avastin. How is that working for the lung cancer? Is it improving the bone mets too?