Researchers at Queen’s University in Belfast along with the Belfast Trust are conducting a clinical trial evaluating the combination of two radiotherapy treatments, Radium 223 and Pelvic Radiation using Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) in men with bone positive advanced prostate cancer.
The trial, being called ADRRAD trial, involves combining androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) along with the two radio-therapies. Treatment is expected to last about 18 months.
VMAT is an externally delivered type of radiotherapy that manipulates radiation beams to adapt to the shape of the tumor, delivering a more precise dose of radiation and limiting damage to surrounding tissue. Radium 223 is an intravenously administered radiotherapy that specifically targets bone metastases.
Besides these to radio-therapies men will continue to be on the standard ADT.
What is exciting about this trial is that it combines two different types of radio-therapies. This is a small trial and it is anticipated that results will take at least two years. Depending upon the trial results it is possible that an additional, larger international trial could begin.
It is worth staying in touch with this trial and for my brothers in the Belfast area, if you have bone metastases you might want to consider joining the trial.
Dear Joel:
My husband has had prostate cancer since December 2004, his first surgery. Gleason Score 7.
No follow up after removal of prostate. PSA climbing 3 months later – several radiation treatments.
Since July 2008 he has been diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer with lots of treatments since then.
HS USED PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THE MEDICINES MENTIONED IN your blog.
University of Washington referred to genome testing – he has BRQC-2 MUTATION.
He has been taking LYMPARZA a PARP inhibitor OFF LABEL — since June 2015.
This medicine is supplied by Astra Zeneca free of charge — 16 pillsper day @ $ 25.00/each
whicht totals 200.00 for eight morning pills and 200.00 for eight evening pills.
Results better in the beginning, PSA climing — so his doctor recommended XOFIGO.
He had his first infusion in MARCH, gor secong one in April.
I did receive today billing info for first infusion $ 43,537.90 !!!
We were told that this medicine would cost $ 12,000 per infusion, now it
is over 31,000 MORE PER MONTH !! and this should go on for 6 months ???
Is the local cancer center gauging us and/or our insurance company ???
Have you ever heard about prices like this ???
And the cancer Center did not get pre-approval, which is liability for them.
Your reply would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Helga
helgabraman@yahoo.com
Helga,
The last I heard was over a year ago and the cost for the entire treatment then was about $46.000. Insurance should cover this, it id shocking to me that the hospital would not have obtained insurance approval prior to giving the drug. Hospitals are usually very careful about this because they don’t want to be left holding the bag. You should be on the phone with your doctor immediately. Also, Bayer has a financial support program. Call them at: 1-855-6XOFIGO (1-855-696-3446).
Joel