S1Ep7 Immunotherapy Trial: No Regrets

Welcome to the seventh episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC where I talk about my wife Kristine's very recent immunotherapy trial and all that it entailed.

This is the first episode where I talk about something that is so recent (spoiler alert, she exited the trial officially this weekend). So I don't have the benefit of time and other experiences for comparison. It's still very fresh, and upsetting. But, that's how stage 4 cancer works. As a care partner, you make sure that your loved one has all the information that they need to make an informed decision, and then back them up and care for them.

Cancer is hard. And change is hard. But having options is everything. We just need a lot more of them. Hence, trials. There will be a future episode on how to find trustworthy information, and also how to search for trials.

Full transcription can be found on the website (http://carepartnerscompass.transistor.fm)

Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford

Kristine - I know this was difficult. But I know that the immunotherapy and chemo are going to work together to kick some cancer butt.

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Helpful links related to this episode:

• ClinicalTrials.gov - this lists clinical trials not just in the United States, but many international trials as well.
• Fight CRC Clinical Trial Finder - a very helpful set of trials just for CRC with some commentary. You can include in your search if trials allow previous immunotherapy.
• No Regrets Spotify music playlist - Kristine creates a new dance playlist for each new chapter, including this one as she goes back to chemo. This is her newest playlist, that we danced to today during her chemo infusion.
• (01:32) - Leading up to the trial
• (02:33) - MRD Trials - Minimal Residual Disease
• (03:25) - Immunotherapy and MSS CRC - getting there, but still a ways to go (mainly through trials)
• (04:41) - Getting the call to be on the trial
• (05:55) - Why this Phase1B trial was a good idea for Kristine
• (06:58) - Starting the trial - paperwork and plenty of eyes on the case
• (07:47) - Allergic reaction and Benadryl to the rescue
• (09:01) - Trial side effects - even one good one
• (10:46) - We need more info for Stage 4 MSS CRC, especially for immunotherapy trials
• (11:39) - Why it is so tricky to know when/if immunotherapy is working
• (13:43) - Getting as much information as possible, even if it says things you don't want it to
• (14:25) - Being a care partner when your loved one is doing a clinical trial
• (17:05) - Being optimistic and realistic when there's yet another pivot