New Diagnosis
I had my first mammogram a few weeks ago. Got called back for a follow up assessment with Breast Screen Qld (amazing staff at the Toowoomba clinic) After another mammogram, US and two biopsy’s I was d...
Forum Discussion
@Elise_Rim - terrific that your Mum did well on Keytruda for the extra 5 years xx. It is almost a wonder drug and overseas, is used in MANY cancer treatments - but just a few in Australia.
Initially Keytruda was only available for Melanoma patients (with some Stage 4 actually going into remission) - then lung cancer patients were found to respond well to it as well, so they were added on PBS & I thought that some BC patients (particularly TNBC) had also been approved for the use of it - so surprised your Onc hasn't mentioned it to you .....
Here are some documents that I found that indicate that it IS available already for those with early stage TNBC - so definitely raise it with your Onc & if they say NO - ask WHY - and then consider talking to another Onc about it as well! xx. Record all your appts too, so you can go back over them later, to take notes etc ....
BCNA has a couple of posts on TNBC & Keytruda too:
Re Immunotherapy:
https://www.bcna.org.au/metastatic-breast-cancer/treatment/immunotherapy
and Keytruda on the PBS:
https://www.bcna.org.au/news/2023/04/new-breast-cancer-treatments-recommended-for-subsidy-on-the-pbs/
also
https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-05/auspar-keytruda-230508.pdf
and
https://www.msd-australia.com.au/news/first-line-treatment-option-available-for-eligible-australians-with-a-type-of-aggressive-breast-cancer/
And Keytruda's OWN webpage re TNBC .....
https://www.keytruda.com/triple-negative-breast-cancer/
Being eligible for immunotherapy (Keytruda in particular) often boils down to the PD-1 & PDL-1 levels .... sadly, my husband's levels made him ineligible for immunotherapy :(
T-Cell therapy is going to be HUGE in cancer treatment in coming years ... and hopefully the treatments available sooner than later ....
Take care & all the best xx
Initially Keytruda was only available for Melanoma patients (with some Stage 4 actually going into remission) - then lung cancer patients were found to respond well to it as well, so they were added on PBS & I thought that some BC patients (particularly TNBC) had also been approved for the use of it - so surprised your Onc hasn't mentioned it to you .....
Here are some documents that I found that indicate that it IS available already for those with early stage TNBC - so definitely raise it with your Onc & if they say NO - ask WHY - and then consider talking to another Onc about it as well! xx. Record all your appts too, so you can go back over them later, to take notes etc ....
BCNA has a couple of posts on TNBC & Keytruda too:
Re Immunotherapy:
https://www.bcna.org.au/metastatic-breast-cancer/treatment/immunotherapy
and Keytruda on the PBS:
https://www.bcna.org.au/news/2023/04/new-breast-cancer-treatments-recommended-for-subsidy-on-the-pbs/
also
https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-05/auspar-keytruda-230508.pdf
and
https://www.msd-australia.com.au/news/first-line-treatment-option-available-for-eligible-australians-with-a-type-of-aggressive-breast-cancer/
And Keytruda's OWN webpage re TNBC .....
https://www.keytruda.com/triple-negative-breast-cancer/
Being eligible for immunotherapy (Keytruda in particular) often boils down to the PD-1 & PDL-1 levels .... sadly, my husband's levels made him ineligible for immunotherapy :(
T-Cell therapy is going to be HUGE in cancer treatment in coming years ... and hopefully the treatments available sooner than later ....
Take care & all the best xx