Targeting Ras

I read that 85% of pancreatic cancers has mutations in the ras gene and that these malignant cells need a unique enzyme to divide. Several drugs that inhibit this enzyme are being trialed. Where???  My dad, who was in excellent health prior to this disease striking him a few weeks ago - STILL has not started treatment.  His oncologist #1 was pretty accepting of standard gemzar (1/2 hour treatment) and trying to limit his pain.  His 4 kids (well we are all in our 40's) are trying to help him make the tough decision as to chemo treatment and telling him, reassuring him that he CAN beat this monster.  We are finally meeting up with oncologist #2 at Yale next tuesday.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. The cancer is not metastatic, liver is okay, no ascites, mass at head of pancreas -- one experienced oncological surgeon told me that he is borderline for surgery as there is much concern the tumor is close, maybe around portal vein.  Does anyone know about Cyberknife? and then surgery?

Thanks for any help! Cancer can be beat! I am a 2 time survivor - Hodgkins at age 12 and bone cancer at 36.

 Thanks again!

www.genvec.com

TNFerade: This is the drug that has better results in pancreatic Cancer. 
The rehearsals to approve it are being carried out in patient with LAPC (locally advanced pancreatic Cancer) not operable

nlynne,

Your father's situation sounds very much like my husband's was.  He had no positive lymph nodes or mets to liver or any where else.  The uncinate process was involved and tumor was adhering to the portal vein and had to be 'scraped' off in the words of his Whipple surgeon.  A vascular surgeon was called in to perform this part of the surgery wherein a piece of the portal vein was resected and replaced with a piece of the jugular vein.

The important thing here is to get your father to an institution that has a specialty in treating pancreatic cancer; if you don't, the surgeon you engage will NOT be expert enough in this procedure and it has been proved that experience is vital to a good outcome.  M D Anderson, Johns Hopkins, Virginia Mason and Evanston Northwestern come quickly to mind but there are others.

Call PanCan for advice (can't remember their number but you can find it by googling PanCan).  Also try the Johns Hopkins support board; it's much more active than this one, with both patients and caregivers and all knowledgeable and willing to help.

Sometime treatment prior to surgery is required, sometimes not.  My husband did not have any treatment until after the Whipple, then he had radiation and concurrent 5FU for about 6 weeks.  After that he had Gemzar for about 6 months, infusions once a week for 3 weeks then 1 week off. Be sure to have his CA19-9 measured prior to any treatment so you will know is treeatment is working.  CA19-9 is a pancreatic cancer marker, as is CEA.

Incidentally, my husband had surgery 12/06 and continues to live his life, bowling and golfing at age 77.

Don't waste time, this is a VERY fast progressing cancer.  Sending prayers for a good result for your father.

Joan L

I'm 53. I have had great results with GTX.  Stage IV PC mets to liver and lymphnodes.  diagnosised Nov. '07. Doing great today.  I'm at M D Anderson in Houston.  But GTX was started in NYC.

 You have my prayers and best wishes,

God Bless,

Mark B.

Hi! Thanks for your reply!  I have found out a little more about my dad -- there are cancerous areas in his aumenin (sp?) tissue.  Would this change the drug to use?  I am learning about the drugs available -- as I want to be able to understand why the oncologist orders a certain drug.   -

I read up about TNFerade - sounds very promising.  Is it only available thru a drug trial? I would think not.

I fust found out that there is cancer in my dad's aumentin  - Would this make him ineligible for the trials?  and is this medicine available without being in a trial? 

Thanks,

nancy