First, you should know that you have a great site. I read multiple entries in your blog and found them all both educational and heartfelt. It is so great what you are doing, educating others while offering hope and strength for them and their families during their challenging times. I am so sorry for the loss of your brother and that now you yourself suffer from Melanoma. I have seen first hand the destruction that this fierce disease can do to a person but I have also seen how a great deal of faith and medical miracles can bring hope to the hopeless. That is why I am personally so excited by Ipilimumab, or IPI. My friend Beca was selected for a 'compassionate' study with the IPI between pre and post FDA approval of the drug and actually starts her second round today! We are all hoping this miracle drug can work it's magic on her. You said it best, "The best Melanoma patient is an active participant in his or her treatment" and I could not agree more. You are a perfect example of this.
I think you might be interested in this video. It talks more about Ipilimumab and includes the side effects of possible arthritis etc and the fact that the drug is choosy as to who it will work for, only 20 - 30% of it's patients. However, and I'm sure you will agree, this is still a huge and exciting breakthrough. I hope you see the relevance of this and that you will consider embedding it into Melanoma Missionary. The best of luck to you and your family as you continue this challenging climb. I hope that this email finds you well.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Haley
Jim's Response
Haley, I believe I know why Ipi only responds in 20-30%. I have been researching this for a while and the missing link is the "Danger Signal". All the pieces of the Melanoma are not there yet, I am closing in on it. I believe we can increase the response rate by combinatorial Therapy with Ipi and IL-2. Dose and scheduling of the drugs play important part of this Orchestration.
If you Look back at some of my posts and research papers, You will see the Light at the end of the tunnel.
Please keep me posted about your friend. Make sure that they (The Oncologist) gets the ALC Absolute Lymphocyte Count before, and during your friends treatment. If the counts rise by a factor of about two, it may be an indication that the Ipilimumab (Anti-CTLA-4 Blockade is working. It would help activate the CD8+ T-cells (CTLs) Cytoxic T Lymphocytes.
Best Regards,
Jimmy B
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“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”
~Charles Darwin~
Take Care,
Jimmy B
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