Drug trial

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Just diagnosed with SBC after 16 years. Lucky to be referred for a trial run by American company Roche.
After one lot of tests rejected; liver enzymes too high. But this is for a drug combo for people like me have mets. Worrying (but not surprising) that they don’t want the candidates that most need the therapy. We might undermine the results and cost money. Why are we dependent on these companies in our wealthy democracy??

Meiard over 3 years ago

Just been told I can stay on after all as enzymes just ok! Mr Pharma here is my soul

Andy131 over 3 years ago

Dependent on them is a two way street, they are dependent on cancer patients to get the data to put the drugs on the market. So without the trials no new drugs. What we found out is that while the trial could be a bit of a lottery with regards to effectiveness, they did scan for changes far more often than regular treatment. This we found to be reassuring as any changes were quickly spotted. Some of the treatments were VERY effective (one gave an initial 40% reduction), but all of them eventually stopped working, then it was onto another trial.

At the end of the day we believe that the trials they have extended my wife's life by months, and that in taking part the data collected will help others in the future, so not a terrible deal overall.

Meiard over 3 years ago in reply to Andy131

Thanks for this more balanced view Andi 131. In the end they decided I needed to have chemo first so didn’t get on after all! Still I agree that the care and detailed support would have been worth it! I guess we just all have to keep taking what we can!

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Drug trial