Latest news with #BRAF
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live
Dad Matt Eamer was diagnosed with one of the most common cancers in the UK - find out symptoms of the disease to look out for below SHOCK TWIST I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live WHEN Matt Eamer began experiencing stomach pain he put it down to eating "a dodgy sausage" at a family BBQ. But when the pain persisted, doctors discovered a "big blockage" in his intestine, which turned out to be stage 4 cancer. 6 Matt had been celebrating his son's birthday when he began experiencing stomach pain Credit: SWNS 6 When the pain persisted, doctors discovered a big blockage in his intestine, which turned out to be bowel cancer Credit: SWNS Matt, 44, had been celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020 when "spiky" pain began. The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital and was given Buscopan - an over the counter medication that helps stomach cramps - and sent home. But he continued to feel awful. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital, Surrey, where tests confirmed the blockage in his large intestine. Just days later, following surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Read more on bowel cancer DIET TWEAK The little-known diet mistake putting millions at risk of bowel cancer Matt underwent six months of intense chemotherapy, but during surgery to cut away part of his liver, in March 2021, surgeons told him it had spread to his peritoneum - the lining of the abdominal wall. It was also discovered Matt had a BRAF mutation - a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his "cancer had formed and grown very quickly". Matt was "looking at months" left to live when he began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills called Emcorafenib. But he responded well, and five years on has no signs of cancer, and still takes the medicine. Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. "My pain escalated quickly. I thought my sore knee was a drunken injury but it was cancer at 27 "I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. "They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'. "Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. "You're not on your death bed but you're forced to think about how you spend your time". He said doctors initially thought the mass might be benign. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer." New life-extending drugs After chemotherapy, Matt was informed on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment plan had changed Matt has been taking four Encorafenib pills every evening since and has fortnightly infusions of Cetuximab - designed to extend his life by three to six months. "It was a very dramatic movie like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs. "My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor." He began the new drugs approved just a few months earlier, which target rapid growth of cancer cells. Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs - with scans after six months not showing "any cancer"- and now has fortnightly infusions. Despite needing a 14-hour surgery in December 2024 to remove tissue in his ribcage that had the BRAF mutation and HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says doctors are back to the view of not seeing anything, with scans showing things are clear. I'm never going to know what my future really looks like Matt Eamer "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said. "I continue to run my own business and the family. "I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. "He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four. "The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and liver longer better lives even if it is stage four. "The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for big bucket list of swimming dolphins and all that stuff. 6 Matt was told he had months to live because his cancer was stage 4 Credit: SWNS 6 He underwent 14-hour surgery, as well as chemotherapy, before doctors decided to try new drugs to prolong his life Credit: SWNS 6 Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs and six months later scans showed things were clear Credit: SWNS 6 He's now taking part in a charity cycle to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK Credit: SWNS "The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. "I spend more time looking at my kids faces taking them to a show or swimming in the sea, they are heightened. "It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened". He is now set to take part in a charity cycle set up by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7 raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK. It will mark five years since he was diagnosed. "It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said. To donate, visit his GoFundMe.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live
Dad Matt Eamer was diagnosed with one of the most common cancers in the UK - find out symptoms of the disease to look out for below SHOCK TWIST I blamed stomach pain on a dodgy BBQ but then I was told I have just months to live Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN Matt Eamer began experiencing stomach pain he put it down to eating "a dodgy sausage" at a family BBQ. But when the pain persisted, doctors discovered a "big blockage" in his intestine, which turned out to be stage 4 cancer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Matt had been celebrating his son's birthday when he began experiencing stomach pain Credit: SWNS 6 When the pain persisted, doctors discovered a big blockage in his intestine, which turned out to be bowel cancer Credit: SWNS Matt, 44, had been celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020 when "spiky" pain began. The dad-of-two was rushed to hospital and was given Buscopan - an over the counter medication that helps stomach cramps - and sent home. But he continued to feel awful. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital, Surrey, where tests confirmed the blockage in his large intestine. Just days later, following surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Matt underwent six months of intense chemotherapy, but during surgery to cut away part of his liver, in March 2021, surgeons told him it had spread to his peritoneum - the lining of the abdominal wall. It was also discovered Matt had a BRAF mutation - a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his "cancer had formed and grown very quickly". Matt was "looking at months" left to live when he began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills called Emcorafenib. But he responded well, and five years on has no signs of cancer, and still takes the medicine. Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. "My pain escalated quickly. I thought my sore knee was a drunken injury but it was cancer at 27 "I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. "They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'. "Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. "You're not on your death bed but you're forced to think about how you spend your time". He said doctors initially thought the mass might be benign. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer." New life-extending drugs After chemotherapy, Matt was informed on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment plan had changed Matt has been taking four Encorafenib pills every evening since and has fortnightly infusions of Cetuximab - designed to extend his life by three to six months. "It was a very dramatic movie like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs. "My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor." He began the new drugs approved just a few months earlier, which target rapid growth of cancer cells. Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs - with scans after six months not showing "any cancer"- and now has fortnightly infusions. Despite needing a 14-hour surgery in December 2024 to remove tissue in his ribcage that had the BRAF mutation and HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says doctors are back to the view of not seeing anything, with scans showing things are clear. I'm never going to know what my future really looks like Matt Eamer "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said. "I continue to run my own business and the family. "I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. "He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four. "The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and liver longer better lives even if it is stage four. "The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for big bucket list of swimming dolphins and all that stuff. 6 Matt was told he had months to live because his cancer was stage 4 Credit: SWNS 6 He underwent 14-hour surgery, as well as chemotherapy, before doctors decided to try new drugs to prolong his life Credit: SWNS 6 Matt had an "unusual response" to the drugs and six months later scans showed things were clear Credit: SWNS 6 He's now taking part in a charity cycle to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK Credit: SWNS "The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. "I spend more time looking at my kids faces taking them to a show or swimming in the sea, they are heightened. "It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened". He is now set to take part in a charity cycle set up by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7 raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK. It will mark five years since he was diagnosed. "It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said. To donate, visit his GoFundMe.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I thought pain was down to a dodgy sausage before they gave me months to live'
Matt Eamer, 44, from Surrey, was diagnosed after he thought he had eaten a 'dodgy sausage' at a BBQ A father-of-two who initially dismissed his stomach pain as the result of a "a dodgy sausage" from a family barbecue was later diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. Matt Eamer, 44, began experiencing severe discomfort just days after celebrating his son Alex's second birthday in September 2020. Despite rushing to hospital and being given Buscopan, his condition didn't improve. His wife Sarah, 41, a doula, took him to East Surrey Hospital where tests revealed a significant blockage in his large intestine. After undergoing surgery to remove the mass, it was confirmed as stage four bowel cancer. Matt endured six months of intense chemotherapy, but during a subsequent operation to remove part of his liver in March 2021, surgeons discovered the cancer had spread to his peritoneum – the lining of the abdominal wall. Further tests revealed that Matt had a BRAF mutation – a genetic alteration that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth - and his cancer had developed and grown rapidly. Facing a prognosis of only months to live, Matt began taking newly approved immunotherapy drugs called Cetuximab infusion and pills named Emcorafenib. Remarkably, he responded well to the treatment and five years on, shows no signs of cancer while continuing to take the medication. Matt, from Redhill, Surrey, who runs a design agency, said: "I was speaking to work colleagues over the first week or two and thought I'd cooked a dodgy sausage on the BBQ. My pain escalated quickly. "I can still remember the person's voice when she phoned and said 'the plan for your diagnosis has changed'. They said 'we're talking months not years from a survival point of view'. "Hitting five years with stage four is a rarity. You're not on your death bed, but you're forced to think about how you spend your time." He revealed medics originally believed the growth could be non-cancerous. "They took out two thirds of my large intestine," he said. "A few days later they confirmed it was active cancer." Following six months of chemotherapy, Matt was told on his 40th birthday by doctors that his treatment approach had altered. Matt has been taking four Encorafenib tablets each evening since and receives fortnightly Cetuximab infusions – aimed at prolonging his life by three to six months. "It was a very dramatic movie-like point," he said. "It was a pivotal change, they said, 'we've gone in, it's gone further, we're going to try these new drugs'. My wife Sarah collapsed to the floor." He started new medications approved just a few months beforehand, which target the aggressive spread of cancerous cells. Matt experienced an "unusual response" to the medication – with scans after six months revealing "any cancer" was absent – and continues to receive fortnightly infusions. Despite requiring a 14-hour operation in December 2024 to extract tissue from his ribcage that carried the BRAF mutation and undergo HIPEC chemotherapy, Matt says medics are "back to view of we can't see anything, the scans are all showing things clear". "I'm never going to know what my future really looks like," he said. "I continue to run my own business and the family. I remember four or five months ago listening to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans was interviewing Chris Hoy. He's really trying to challenge the perception of stage four. "The reality is younger people are able to deal with treatments better and live longer, better, lives - even if it is stage four. The book he's written highlighting things like being presented with things like a devastating life-ending diagnosis, the cliche is you go for a big bucket list of swimming with dolphins and all that stuff. "The reality is the 'bucket and spade things', the little moments. I spend more time looking at my kids' faces, taking them to a show or swimming in the sea; they are heightened. It means your ability to be present and focus upon what matters is heightened." He's now planning to participate in a charity cycling event organised by Sir Chris Hoy in Glasgow on September 7, collecting money for Bowel Cancer UK. The ride will commemorate five years since his diagnosis. "It's marking a milestone in a meaningful positive way," he said.
Business Insider
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Iovance Amtagvi receives Health Canada approval for advanced melanoma
Iovance Biotherapeutics (IOVA) announced Health Canada has issued a notice of compliance with conditions for Amtagvi, a tumor-derived autologous T cell immunotherapy. Amtagvi is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma that has progressed on or after at least one prior systemic therapy including a PD-1 blocking antibody, and if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor with or without a MEK inhibitor, and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence.
Medscape
08-07-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Real-World Data: Adjuvant Therapy for BRAF-Mutated Melanoma
This transcript has been edited for clarity. Hello, everybody. My name is Teresa Amaral. Welcome back to this Medscape Oncology series on melanoma. Today, we'll finalize a discussion about real-world data on adjuvant therapy in patients with BRAF -mutated melanoma. We discussed the visual comparison between immunotherapy and targeted therapy using real-world data. We also discussed the benefit in terms of relapse-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival in this adjuvant setting when we compared the two therapies, showing that visual comparison seems to show a better benefit for patients receiving targeted therapy compared to immunotherapy. We looked into the differences in terms of quality of life and the toxicity profile for both therapies. Now, we will look into the last aspect that we need to discuss with our patients, which is what we do when the patients have a relapse. Obviously, it is different whether the patients have a relapse under adjuvant therapy or off adjuvant therapy. Patients who have a recurrence under adjuvant targeted therapy seem to benefit from programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy afterward in a similar way as patients who had PD-1 monotherapy in stage IV and were treatment naive. Patients with recurrence under adjuvant PD-1 therapy do not seem to benefit from continuing PD-1 therapy, but they might benefit from other immunotherapies, such as ipilimumab or the combination of ipilimumab plus PD-1. We have other real-world data, which we've discussed in the episodes before, on where to go in terms of immunotherapy judgment setting. Even if we have a prolongation in terms of relapse-free survival or metastasis-free survival, when we look into overall survival data from real-world studies, we don't see a benefit in either of the two cohorts, one before introducing adjuvant therapy and another after introducing adjuvant therapy. This is also something that we need to discuss with our patients when we propose adjuvant therapy. The paper I mentioned before is an indirect comparison, and of course, it needs to be read as so. There are real-world data that have been analyzed, but obviously, we cannot change the data and how they were analyzed. When we look into the relapse-free survival events, we need to consider that these events are dependent on the timing when the imaging evaluation was performed. If you have an imaging evaluation that was performed a little bit earlier, you might detect relapse-free survival earlier as compared to an imaging evaluation that was performed later. The criteria for including these studies in this analysis was the same, but inclusion criteria may vary in the different trials, which might lead to a bias. Another aspect that is important to retain from this analysis is that we included both patients with BRAF wild-type and BRAF -mutated melanoma, because we could not separate these as we didn't have access to raw data. We also included all patients despite the BRAF mutation subtype. We didn't know if the patients were BRAF V600E or K, although the majority were reported as having BRAF V600E. We also were not able to analyze the data based on the substage — so stage IIIA to IIID. We included all the patients as stage III, but not the substage. Although the median follow-up time is long, it might not be long enough to capture all the events in the adjuvant setting. We probably need an update of this work in the near future. We were unable to exclude a couple of patients that were stage IV with no evidence of disease that were included in the different publications because we didn't have access to the raw data. We didn't perform any statistical comparison because of the differences in terms of the publications that we selected. The comparison was visually performed based on the formula that I mentioned in the first episode of this series. We have some advantages from this analysis. One is the number of patients, where more than 3600 patients were included. We included analyses that started around 2018, which means that, for the majority of the patients, they would have had access to PD-1 therapies or PD-1-based therapies as in the modern era if they had progressive disease or a recurrence. We don't know if this is the case for all the patients included in the analysis. Finally, grouping all the analyses and doing this digitalization using this visual comparison is obviously, I would say, an advantage. Another advantage is the fact that we used weighted average calculations to produce these Kaplan-Meier curves, showing that there is a concordance among the different works that we selected for this analysis. In conclusion, I would say that, based on this real-world analysis, targeted therapy seems to have a better outcome when we look into relapse-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival in stage III. Targeted therapy has a different profile from immunotherapy, and this needs to be discussed with the patients, especially when we look into long-term toxicity. Also, the impact in terms of quality of life between these two therapies seems to be different, and this needs to be taken into consideration when we discuss this with our patients. With that, I'll finish this three-episode series. I look forward to your comments and to our next series together. Enjoy your day.
