Sweet Nectar

In this case, it's actually spelt nktr as in NKTR-102. That's the name of the trial drug I am currently taking. The name comes from the sponsor's name: Nektar Therapeutics in San Francisco. The study itself goes by the moniker BEACON (BrEAst Cancer Outcomes with NKTR-102). This is a Phase 3 open-label, randomized, multi-center study of NKTR-102 versus treatment of physician's choice (in my case it would have been paclitaxel) in patients with locally recurrent or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with an anthracycline, a taxane, and capecitabine.

NKTR-102 slowly releases a chemotherapy drug called irinotecan into the body, thereby allowing it to stay in the body much longer. NKTR-102 was designed to eliminate some fo the side effects of irinotecan while improving its efficiency through modifying the distribution of the agent within the body. The study will look at how my cancer responds to the study treatment and how long people treated with this drug survive. It will also examine the side effects of the study drug and see how long it stays in my blood. About 840 women from up to 25 countries, ages 18 and older, with advanced breast cancer are expected to be in this study.

I will receive NKTR-102 on Day 1 of each cycle. One cycle is 3 weeks, or 21 days, long. The drug will be given intravenously over a 90-minute period. The day before each cycle starts, I will have blood tests and see my oncologist. All this will be done at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver. I'll also have a CT scan every 8 weeks - this helps monitor disease progression/regression.

Although the study is slated to complete in 38 months, I will continue to receive the study drug as long as it is helping stabilize my cancer, the side effects are acceptable, and I wish to continue even after the study has ended.

The most commonly reported side effects during other research studies of NKTR-102 include: diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, fatigue,decreased appetite, low red and/or white blood cells, hair loss, and blurred vision. If any of these side effects - or any others listed or not listed - become unbearable, I have the right to withdraw from the study even if subsequent CT scans and other tests prove that it is having the desired effect. Quality of life continue to be paramount.

So, there you have it. That's what I'll be doing for the foreseeable future.

Aside from temporary vision changes, common (for me) fatigue, and slightly decreased appetite, I'm fairing pretty well so far. Of course, most side effects tend to be cumulative, in my experience. I read somewhere in the literature that diarrhea is most noticeable after two or three cycles so suspect more drama in the future. As for the hair loss thing, no biggie in my view. Once again I'll save a bundle on grooming costs! And with winter coming on, I'll have more excuse to wear some stunning toppers. Heck, even found a pattern for a hat that looks like knitted hair. Should I be a blonde? red-head? or go all out with a Gaga pink number? Hmmmm.