Arsenic Trioxide clinical trial - anyone tried this?

motorcycleman

My father in law was diagnosed on 1/31/06 with inoperable stage 4 Glioblastoma multiforme. It was initially diagnosed as a minor stroke, then as a "Cancer of unknow Primary" then (after a biopsy) confirmed as a GBM. The tumor is in his speech area (he has trouble speaking, slurs badly when tired) and can no longer write.

Having had no experience with this (who has when they are diagnosed!) my wife and her family have chosen to enter a clinical trial that uses Arsenic Trioxide in combination with radiation therapy. The trial will last 6.5 weeks and, based on what we have found on the net, has many possible side affects which concern us.

I was hoping that there are others out there who have had this type of treatment and could share their experiences, good and bad.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can help with info.

Matt

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

Here are some of the common side effects listed for this drug

RLee, MD

Adverse Reactions
>10%:

Cardiovascular: Tachycardia (55%), edema (40%), QT interval >500 msec (38%), chest pain (25%), hypotension (25%)

Central nervous system: Fatigue (63%), fever (63%), headache (60%), insomnia (43%), anxiety (30%), dizziness (23%), depression (20%), pain (15%)

Dermatologic: Dermatitis (43%), pruritus (33%), bruising (20%), dry skin (13%)

Endocrine & metabolic: Hypokalemia (50%), hyperglycemia (45%), hypomagnesemia (45%), hyperkalemia (18%)

Gastrointestinal: Nausea (75%), abdominal pain (58%), vomiting (58%), diarrhea (53%), sore throat (40%), constipation (28%), anorexia (23%), appetite decreased (15%), weight gain (13%)

Genitourinary: Vaginal hemorrhage (13%)

Hematologic: Leukocytosis (50%), APL differentiation syndrome (23%), thrombocytopenia (19%), anemia (14%), febrile neutropenia (13%)

Hepatic: ALT increased (20%), AST increased (13%)

Local: Injection site: Pain (20%), erythema (13%)

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Rigors (38%), arthralgia (33%), paresthesia (33%), myalgia (25%), bone pain (23%), back pain (18%), limb pain (13%), neck pain (13%), tremor (13%)

Respiratory: Cough (65%), dyspnea (53%), epistaxis (25%), hypoxia (23%), pleural effusion (20%), sinusitis (20%), postnasal drip (13%), upper respiratory tract infection (13%), wheezing (13%)

Miscellaneous: Herpes simplex (13%)
_________________
RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

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