NSCLC - mBAC/AIS with BRAF V600E mutation - 1273168

Last May (2015) my wife started the combo Tafinlar/Mekinist. This combo was showing great promise in a melanoma trial for patients with the BRAF V600E mutation. In melanoma some 45 % of the mutations are of the BRAF V600E type.

Soon, a smaller trial was initiated for NSCLC patients with the same mutation (abt 2-3 % of LC patients). This trial als showed great promise. Early last year the trial no longer admitted new patients. When it reopened only treatment naive patients could be considered.

My wife was on a chemopause at the time but fortunately she got approved for this combo outside the trial.

Two earlier scans showed improvement. Last week's scan brought good news.

The groundless densities had resolved and no discrete masses were seen. Minimal residual stable sub pleural interstitial infiltrate likely reflective of minor fibrotic changes.

She will continue treatment for now with next scan in 6 months.

We are most grateful for having gotten to this point and we were fortunate that new and better drugs became available just in time to benefit many including my wife.

My wife, 69 yrs.
DX Mar 11 NSCLC mBAC (now AIS).
Mar 11 lobectomy left LL & lower UL.
Scans: May 11 clean; July 11 bilateral GGOs; Sep 11 more prominent GGOs;
Dec 11 worsening GGOs w/ few foci more dense consolidation
Feb 12 scan further growth, no mets, BRAF positive (V600E)
Mar 12 started Carbo-Alimta chemo followed by Alimta maintenance; initial shrinkage then stable till Aptil 2014.
June 14 trial immunotherapy MPDL3280A against docetaxel. Was assigned docetaxel.
Late October 14 stopped docetaxel after 7 courses. Side effects too severe. On chemo pause.
May 15 started Tafinlar-Mekinist combo.
Initially severe side effects (mostly high fever, chills and Grade 3 uveitis in both eyes). Early August 15 reduced the Tafinlar dosage from 300 mg to 150 mg a day, kept Mekinist at 2 mg a day. Side effects now manageable. Scans early Aug 15 and late Oct 15 showed improvement. Latest scan 2/29/16 wa