ZERO ® – ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER NEWS
WINTER 2023/2024
MY PROSTATE CANCER CLINICAL TRIAL JOURNEY
My cancer journey started two weeks after my 65th birthday. In September 2019, I was diagnosed with aggressive metastatic prostate cancer. I had experienced back pain for 18 months but thought it was from lifelong scoliosis. My
monoclonal antibody cirmtuzumab, in combination with chemo (docetaxel), in treating prostate cancer. I finished this combination phase in July. There were initial positive results of less cancer and no progression. My PSA went from 168 to 63. It has since risen to 134. While I’m on a maintenance plan – cirmtuzumab once a month – we are doing an updated PSMA scan to see why the PSA is rising aggressively now. I’ve known of the benefits of clinical trials through my consulting career with medical-based clients. Now I’ve experienced the great level of care in this clinical trial. It has been remarkable. I recommend a trial for its comprehensive approach to care. As well, even if I don’t gain benefits from the experimental drug combination, I hope to benefit future patients through participation in a trial. Someone did this for me awhile back, now I can return the favor myself.
Dan Peddie
primary care doctor – who never previously did PSA tests – ordered one, along with an MRI and CT scan. My PSA was over 1000. A confirming biopsy revealed Gleason of 4+3 = 7. A bone scan showed 80% of the body had cancer – from my knees to skull. Fortunately, the ADT plus abiraterone and prednisone therapy had immediate effect. By January, my cancer had reduced significantly – PSA was between 1 and 2. Bone pain was still the primary symptom. I had very nominal side effects from hormone therapy. The abiraterone, and a prior diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (Afib), contributed to a brain stem stroke in January 2020 that almost took me out. I lost my motor functions in my right leg and arm, which I recovered soon with therapy. My swallowing was impacted so I had a feeding tube for 15 weeks. I lost 40 pounds through the whole process. Abiraterone worked for 32 months until April 2022 when my PSA started to double. I was switched to enzalutamide. My PSA continued to double each month until September when I was switched to olaparib. A blood biopsy in August 2022 revealed I had a rare genetic mutation that about 5–7% of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients have. After another treatment failure, my oncologist and I determined a clinical trial might be appropriate due to the obvious disease progression. I joined a trial at the University of California San Diego in February 2023. The trial is testing the effectiveness of the
So, after four years I’ve learned a lot about the science of prostate cancer but more about life. Like the Tim McGraw song says, “Live like you were dying”, I have changed my perceptions of what is important, have learned to focus on gratitude for who is in my life, and gained a new perspective on suffering specific to my faith. I believe cancer has changed me for the better.
CLINICAL TRIALS IN PROSTATE CANCER There are many clinical trials available for advanced prostate cancer patients. Oftentimes people do not participate in a clinical trial because they don’t know they are eligible or that one is available. Be sure to ask your doctor if a clinical trial may be right for you. To learn more about clinical trials, find available trials, and see our list of questions for your doctor, please visit: https://zerocancer.org/clinical-trials .
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