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446474 tn?1446347682

Zortress (everolimus) mfg Novartis

Hello Dr. Schiano, I hope you are well.

I have written you before regarding my CyberKnife HCC treatment as a patient of Norah Terrault which allowed me to get within the UCSF transplant criteria and thankfully receive a life-saving liver transplant about 4 months ago now.

My question regards Zortress (everolimus) which I have just started taking (3mg daily) along with my other post transplant meds. I have been told that once the Zortress blood level becomes stable I will be stopping my 720mg of Myfortic and remain on 4mg of Tacrolimus and 5mg of Prednisone. I was told that I am taking Zortress because of its anti-cancer properties since I have a very high risk of HCC recurrence due to my pre-transplant AFP numbers. It is a PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor, that targets hepatocarcinogenesis.

I was wondering if yourself or any of your colleagues has experience with Zortress, especially as a prophylactic for recurrence of HCC post-transplant?

I just wanted to let you know I have made an amazing recovery post transplant. I have had no post surgery complications. All blood levels are within norms and I haven't felt this good in many, many years. I couldn't have hoped for a better outcome.

I appreciate any knowledge of Zortress and its use you might have.
Be well.
Howard (Hector)
3 Responses
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517301 tn?1229797785
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
thanks hector.  everolimus may actually be better tolerated than sirolimus
Helpful - 0
446474 tn?1446347682
Thank you very much. I will research more about rapamycin. So far I have had only minor side effects from the Everolimus and I am hoping they will fade as my body gets used to the new drug.

Life post transplant is worth all and more than anything I went through to have this day with a fully functioning, cancer free liver. "Priceless!"

Keep up the good work!
Howard (Hector)
Helpful - 0
517301 tn?1229797785
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
zortress is similar to rapamycin (sirolimus) in which there is much greater data regarding this family of medication's antineoplastic properties.  We have not started to use everolimus yet but will do so once our hospital is able to check levels on site.  i think that this is an excellent strategy being proposed to you, especially since everolimus may be better tolerated than rapamycin.  Wishing you continued good health.
Helpful - 0

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