Update on my getting VEGF-Trap

[LidoGal]

First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all of you fighting this Ov Ca.  This was a beautiful Mother's Day here in northwest Indiana.
Our daughter and her husband were here--and I was pleased to be feeling quite good on Sunday.  I am in VEGF-Trap study at Univ. of Chicago--don't know whether I'm getting the drug or the placebo.  My first infusion was April 19; the next day I developed nausea and vomiting.  That became worse over the weekend and I was then hospitalized for six days (for the above symptoms and severe dehydration--I couldn't keep anything down).  I have had what they think is "tumor pain" and considerable tiredness.  My voice became hoarse, is better now.  I am having what seem to be the side effects from this drug.  If this is the placebo, I don't know how we explain these symptoms!
     For second infusion, I was premedicated for the nausea and did not have a bit of trouble with that.  I will have the third treatment this Friday and am not worried about it, since the 2nd went just fine.  My family and I are thrilled that I am not filling up with fluid like I did before the VEGF-Trap.  I do not get the big belly, and it remains soft.  
     The physicians and all of the staff involved with this study keep in very close contact with me and monitor whatever needs watching as I am in this study.  Their fine care and your support (and theirs) help me enormously.  God bless all of you.

[LidoGal]

Hi........Thanks for writing.  I am most interested to hear what others are experiencing who are in a VEGF-Trap study.  You asked me about what phase I am in??  I am not sure which info. you are looking for.  My cancer is Stage IIIc.....and the protocol from this study does not tell if it is a "phase one" study or how much testing has been done.  They want to determine if this treatment regimen will reduce the amount of fluid that builds up in the belly......and also want to know if this drug might shrink tumors, also.  I had the first infusion on April 19, will have the third infusion May 18.  
     On Tuesday, May 15, I had paracentesis again......26 days since the previous time.  Amount of fluid removed was 2.25 liters.  The previous time, amount was 4.4 liters, so this has built up much more slowly.  
     Happy springtime!

[Jatoo]

Dear LidoGal:

Hello. You are probably the first one in this forum to be in this study. Thanks for keeping us posted. I will relate to you what other patients in another forum where I go to experience. I have been watching for this drug for quite a while. I would suppose it is another biologic or antiangiogenesis drug like Avastin. I pray that it will work on you. May I know what phase you are in?

Thanks,
Jatoo