XELOX Trial

At the Univ. of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, I was on the clinical trial for oxalipaltin and Xelodia (capecitabine tablets) from May 2004 until October 2005 (see my experiences in the Introductions -- Jerry D).  The trial was so successful that the spots were no longer measurable in Oct, however, additionally my platelets did not return fast enough to the minimal amount between treatments (the last treatment was 7 weeks apart), so I was taken off the study.

In February 2006 spots began again and I went back on the study, however after two months treatment we found the drugs no longer worked -- but at least they had worked for over a year the first time. 

One caution, if a person is on Medicare, the oxalipaltin is not approved by Medicare for liver cancer from bile ducts, even though it is approved for liver cancer from the colon.  Because of this, Medicare identifies it as "off label" and will not approve payment of the drug -- which costs $12,000 per treatment for a person or $3,200 per treatment for a hospital/clinic.  I guess that's the difference between retail and wholesale.  If a person cannot get payment by a secondary insurance, though, the company does have some plans to still get the drug administered which you can apply for.

Jerry Daniels
Platteville, Wisconsin

Kathy & Terry,
Thanks for your posts and the encouraging results.  I will begin a regime of Oxaliplatin, Xeloda and Avastin the first week of February and am pleased to hear of your success. 
I'll post my results after completing a couple of the 3 week cycles.

-Peter

I visit this site often and have become emotionally involved in each of the stories that I read.  This is such a difficult disease and I am always encouraged by any good news that others may have.  Today I have a bit of my own.  20 months following a successful whipple surgery, my husband had a recuurence in August of '06.  The cancer had spread to the lymph nodesand  bones. He also had  three large tumors with countless lesions throghout his liver.  He went down to 156 lbs. - he's 6'5".  He could barely walk and was spending most of the day in bed and was not eating.  He started a regimen of Erbitux, Camptosar and Avastin on October 16th.  As of today all the cancer is gone except for two lesions on his liver.  He also now weighs 188 lbs.  No matter what, never ever give up hope.  God bless you all.