Re: Use of Oxaliplatin for Cholangiocarcinoma?

"J" <Hiss-ss-ss@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:42A5FAD8.344B60BF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> farrell77 wrote:
>
> > "Steph" <steph@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:yttne.1538978$6l.772567@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > >
> > > "farrell77" <farrell77@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > > news:Ifone.503$Wk4.11300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > Can anyone provide references or data that could help persuade an
> > > > insurance
> > > > company to pay for oxaliplatin to treat cholangiocarcinoma?
Insurance
> > > > claims have been denied, apparently on grounds that this is not a
standard
> >
> > > > treatment. Thanks.
> > > >
> >
> > >
> > > What do you expect oxaliplatin to achieve?
> >
> > Options and time are running short, and it's been suggested by several
> > doctors
> > (as a treatment for my brother).
> >
> > Here's one abstract I received from a doctor at a major cancer center:
> >
> > A phase II study of Oxaliplatin (O) and Gemcitabine (G) first line
> > chemotherapy
> > in patients with advanced biliary tract cancers. Abstract No: 4132
>
> It's a small trial and first line Phase II - presumably your brother's
had
> other treatments? Including gemcitabine (Gemzar) ?

Yes. Eight three-week cycles of gemcitabine and
capecitabine. A scan after the first few cycles in
December showed some tumor reduction. A scan
in April after the eight cycles were completed showed
stabilization but no further reduction. So two additional
cycles of the same drugs were used. Now he's on
cisplatin (rather than oxaliplatin) and gemcitabine.


> http://www.cancerguide.org/small_trial_stats.html
> Why Good Results From Small Trials Often Don't Pan Out

Interesting.


> It's been in Phase III (palliative) for 2 years now for pancreatic; a
cancer
> that usually carries a similar prognosis.
> http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT00075452
> This randomized phase III trial is studying gemcitabine and oxaliplatin to
see
> how well they work compared to gemcitabine alone in treating patients with
> locally advanced or metastatic unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
>
> How is your brother, Bob?
> J

Okay last week when we spoke on the phone
(thanks for asking). But he obviously faces a very
difficult situation.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Use of Oxaliplatin for Cholangiocarcinoma?
    ... >>> insurance ... >>> company to pay for oxaliplatin to treat cholangiocarcinoma? ... Including gemcitabine? ... It's been in Phase III for 2 years now for pancreatic; a cancer ...
    (sci.med.diseases.cancer)
  • Re: Use of Oxaliplatin for Cholangiocarcinoma?
    ... >> farrell77 wrote: ... Eight three-week cycles of gemcitabine and ... > cisplatin and gemcitabine. ... That way you and your brother can have an understanding and make decisions based ...
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  • phase III trial is studying gemcitabine and oxaliplatin - pancreatic
    ... Aetna considers oxaliplatin injection medically necessary ... treatment of persons with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and for ampullary ... combination therapy using gemcitabine and oxaliplatin ... Of the 46 patients assessed for the primary ...
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  • Re: Use of Oxaliplatin for Cholangiocarcinoma?
    ... Eight three-week cycles of gemcitabine and ... >> cisplatin and gemcitabine. ... I presume that the chemo drugs aggravate, ... extend his life and inprove life quality over the longer run. ...
    (sci.med.diseases.cancer)