Desperate for melanoma treatment options for my husband
My husband is fighting for his life and I am desperate for help. If you have any recommendations for treatment options, clinical trials, or specialists we could consult, please let me know. The details of his disease, treatments, and current health condition are below. I appreciate, in advance, any help!
Diagnosis
- Date: 8/21/2021
- Stage at Diagnosis: Melanoma IIIB pT3aN1a (sn).
- BRAFV600E+
- Pathologic stage from 12/17/2024: Stage IV (rpT3a, pN1a, pM1d) / Cutaneous Melanoma
- Started in skin in the chest/trunk area
- Tumor size: Tumor Breslow Thickness: 2.2mm
- Tumor has spread into brain, lungs, bones, and liver
Medical Team
Currently being treated by oncologist at The University of Iowa. Have received a 2nd opinion 12/2024 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and went back for another consultation, March 4, 2025, after we discovered Opdivo/Yervoy wasn't working and cancer continued to spread.
Treatments
1. Completed 8/23/22: 1 year of Keytruda
2. 12/22/23: Right plueral effusion, cytology + for metastatic melanoma
3. 12/26/23: Started Tafinlar/Mekinist (dabrenfenib/trametinib)
4. 1/3, 4-5, 8-9/23: Radiation Therapy to bone mets (dabrefenib/trametinib break)
5. 1/6/24: Left pleural effusion; therapeutic thoracentesis
6. 1/20/24 (approx): Switched to Braftovi/Mektovi (Ecorafebib/Binimetinib)
7. 12/20/24, 1/5/25, 1/31/25: Opdivo/Yervoy. Received 3 doses of Ipi/Nivo but unforuntately has has further progression in the brain, liver, and has had multiple pleural effusions.
8. 12/31/24: Gamma Knife Radiation to brain (these area are currently stable)
9. 3/27/205: Started Taftinlar/Mekinist (dabrafenib/trametinib). Our current doctor prescribed this as a band-aid until we figure out next steps.
10. 3/11/25: He will undergo Gamma Knife Raditation in brain targeting 4-5 more areas.
Current Situation is Desparate--Looking for Options!
We visited Mayo Clinic in Rochester March 4, 2025 to find out if they have any advice on treatment options and if there would be any clinical trials available to him. Because of the brain mets, there aren't any clinical trials, but they suggested trying a combination of Taxol/CBDCA/Pembrolizumab. They didn't sound overly confident this would work or that he would have any other options.
Our current oncologist at University of Iowa said the Taxol/CBDCA/Pemprolizumad will be too rough on Joe and decrease quality of life. He has suggested to proceed with the Gamma Knife Radiation and to go off of Tafinlar/Mekinist, but doesn't have any other treatment options. Because of the brain mets and pleural effusions, our oncologists said he wouldn't be eligible for any clinical trials. Another concern is the cancer through his abdomen area (carcinomatis).
We've been told time is not on my husbands side. He has a positive spirit and a strong will to live. I just can't believe or accept there aren't any other options out there. If you have any ideas or advice, let me know. Also, Is there a possibility of reaching out directly to oncology specialists throughout the nation to see if they would have any ideas, or would that be a waste of time.
