Immunotherapy (Gm-Csf And Interferon With Carboplatinum)

I have had a first recurrence of ovarian cancer after 10 months of remission. One of the options is the carboplatinum plus the injections of GM-CSF plus interferon. What side effects have others experienced? Dangers? What do I need to consider? Other options are taxol and carboplatinum again, carbo by itself, and a possible stem cell transplant (my gut reaction is a no to that at this point). I have suffered numbness in my toes from the first chemo, but never developed anemia, worked every day (8th grade teacher), and basically was tired but felt good. I feel great now. I appreciate your comments.

Hi Mary:
I'm sorry that I don't have an answer to your question. I'm writing because I have Stage IV ovarian cancer diagnosed last June. I am status post 6 treatments of carboplatinum and taxol. Had surgery 6 weeks ago and am now starting another 4 to 6 rounds of carboplatinum and taxol. I have not had an opportunity to meet anyone in a similar situation. I'm hoping you will tell me your story and tell me what you decide to do. Good luck to you.

Jane S.

Interferon is not an easy treatment and along with these others I can't say what all will happen. BUT I do know that the Interferon is muscle stripping. My husband took that drug for two months and he lost most of his muscles. Now what you are have listed maybe different than the plain interferon that my husband took and dosage too. He was on 10,000,000,000 a shot. Three a week.
Good luck and I hope you have success if whatever you decide.

Hi Jane,
Just wanted to write and tell you that I was dignosed in march of 2002 with stage IIIc ovarian cancer had surgery and 6 rounds of carbo/taxol. So far I am doing quite well. The numbness in toes and fingers should go away after a while, actually when I started to have numbness my oncologist switched me from taxol to taxotere, he said it is a cousin to taxol, but doesn't have that side effect.

Hi Mary,
Just wondering what your ca125 count is, mine has been rising, 22 to 36 now to 37.7. Oncologist said as long as I am feeling good,and not having any pains that we will just wait, it's kind of nerve wrecking, but he assures me that is the best to do. Went for 2nd opinion and was told the same thing. Am getting the ca125 done on a monthly basis now. They have suggested an experimental trial of either tamoxifin or interferon, but right now I do not qualify for it because my count isn't that high. Hope this helps some. I wish you good things.

Minnie

Thanks for the information. I have decided against that clinical trial for a number of reasons, the main one being that my insurance will not cover it.

If you get this 2x, chalk it up to inexperience with this message board. My CA-125 was in the 50's in Novemver and I will be having it tested again on Monday. I have decided to do the carboplatinum treatment alone since my insurance would not cover a clinical trial. Hang in there. Good health to you.

Hi Mary, Thanks for responding. I don't know at what ca125 number my Dr will start treatment, he has said that as long as I am feeling good that is the most inportant thing. Went for a 2nd opinion and they told me the same thing. I know someone whos counts are in the 400 and she is feeling good so they are doing nothing. Wish we could only know what to do. I think I would prefer to go with some type of treatment instead of waiting till I had pain or was sick. Good luck with your ca125 test on Monday, I go in on Wed for mine. Oh by the way, I only got 1 message. Minnie

Let me know how your CA-125 comes out. I have only had 3 replies to my ?

Mary L.