I got the call that I am wanted in Melbourne to begin my Blincyto journey as early as the 11th April! The drug company is providing the drug on compassionate grounds. It is no longer a 'trial' - that finished in Nov 2015. I am going to be 'No.3' on the compassionate list!
So what's next?
First I have to pay the hospital upfront for all the surrounding costs.
Once I get there, I have a couple of outpatient days to do some checks and put a line in, then I'd start treatment as an inpatient.
As far as I'm aware, treatment involves being hooked up to an infusion pack, firstly in hospital for 2-3 weeks (increasing dose, dealing with potential side-effects), and then 28 days out with the pack, coming into outpatients twice a week for checks/change of pack. Two weeks off, then begin the same cycle again. The drug company has allowed for four rounds, however the Dr seems to think two will be enough. The decision of 'what happens after?' will be made then - bone marrow transplant, or get on with living!
A lot of stuff has happened between being diagnosed on the 1st March and being told I'm accepted to Melbourne on the 1st April... 4 rounds of chemo, countless blood tests, meetings, and crossing of fingers and toes! All is headed in what I hope is the right direction for me!
If I have to fly out this weekend, I will miss the wonderful, amazing, generous fundraiser the school is doing, but they will know I am thinking of them as I wing my way to a better outcome!
For those that would like to follow my journey, I have a blog that I update (and will try to do often!):
cancerandmetimes3.blogspot.co.nz
What is it I'm actually having?
The Technical Answer...
Blincyto ® is classified as a monoclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies are a type of "targeted" cancer therapy.
Antibodies are an integral part of the body's immune system. Normally, the body creates antibodies in response to an antigen (such as a protein in a germ) that has entered the body. The antibodies attach to the antigen in order to mark it for destruction by the immune system.
To make anti-cancer monoclonal antibodies in the laboratory, scientists analyze specific antigens on the surface of cancer cells (the targets). Then, using animal and human proteins, they create a specific antibody that will attach to the target antigen on the cancer cells. When given to the patient, these monoclonal antibodies will attach to matching antigens like a key fits a lock.
Since monoclonal antibodies target only specific cells, they may cause less toxicity to healthy cells. Monoclonal antibody therapy is usually given only for cancers in which antigens (and the respective antibodies) have been identified already.
Blincyto ® is a type of monoclonal antibody called a “bispecific T-cell engager” (BiTE) antibody. It works by directing the body’s T-cells (part of the immune system) to target and bind with the CD19 protein on the surface of B-cell leukemia or lymphoma cells.
(Taken from http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/blincyto.aspx)
Leanne Thompson :-)
