SosoSorafenib (by Genesis)

How it was meant to go... 

 

There’s this drug that’s been on our mind

Cleveland pimps it, all the time

SosoSorafenib  … oh oh

Now Sor don’t even know Craig’s name….

But it’ll work just the same

SosoSorafenib

 

Oh if the tumors, could just play fair

Tori’d be here, to fight anywhere

But they’re greedy, growin all the time

I feel much better with Sory now on board

SosoSorafenib … Sory's now on board

  

 Well, the latest is they’ve nixed Torisel.  Dr. Flaig stopped by today to tell Craig that the Torisel’s not working.  Apparently, Dr. Flaig just now had a chance to look over the scans, and though he initially thought a few of the tumors had grown ‘only slightly’ (based on the written report), the scans revealed that they’ve all grown substantially.  The idea is better to give ol’ Tori the can now, than hang on another four weeks only for the little guy to get his arse kicked even more. And if we waited another month, it may be too late.  So, enter Sorafenib (or Nexavar by brand). 

 

Sorafenib is a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor (much like Torisel, I believe) which interferes with the growth of new blood vessels within tumors.  It’s been used to treat people with advanced metastatic kidney cancer, and clinical trials based out of the Cleveland Clinic (hence the reference) have shown some promise in reducing tumor growth.  Unlike Torisel, Sorafenib is an oral chemo agent, which is taken twice a day, every day.  Now, some may wonder how a serial vomiter is to keep down two chemo pills -- which, by the way, also cause nausea -- twice a day.  Fret not, we have a solution, and that is….keep doing what we’re doing, and hope for the best.  Pump fist, yes!  Craig will resume his Haldol (pity his multiple personalities) and will increase his Ativan, with the hope that we can dope him up just enough for him to keep these things down.  Ritalin may well be our best friend in all of this, but he’s yet to try it.  We’re giving the pain patch and everything else a chance to settle before we try tackling his ADHD.  Priorities, priorities.

 

I asked Craig how he was doing with all of this.  He said that Dr. Flaig seems to have the right idea, but that it’s disappointing he’s now on his second best option, and so soon.  Still, he’s eager to see what Sorafenib may have in store.  So, here’s to hoping.  And last but not least, his bone scan came back negative.  Thank God for small favors, sheesh!  -- J