Myeloma--Will It Come Back After CAR T?
- Jenny Dunaway
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 8
When we asked Dr. McCarty this question, he replied a definitive, "Yes.". It's called Relapsed or Refractory Myeloma. Michael got almost a year and a half of mileage out of his CAR T-Cell Therapy. He has had NO measurable myeloma for 16 months...until last month.
We are thankful for the time without chemo or immuno-therapy. We are thankful he is able to do many of the things that bring him joy. We are thankful that his pain is under control. We are thankful that he is gaining weight and eating more, now. We are thankful that he has successfully avoided COVID and the flu during his recovery. Still, we both thought his super-charged T-Cells would continue to seek out and destroy the myeloma cancer cells a little bit longer. It is a disappointment, to say the least.
Monday we met with Michael's doctor at VCU to discuss the options and determine the best plan forward. Of the two options, we chose the one that had fewer side-effects. (The treatment NOT selected would cause the patient to lose the skin off hands/feet and possibly all nails.) He will begin
his treatment with Tecvayli (teclistamab-cqyv) on April 15th at VCU. They will keep him hospitalized for at least 7 days to monitor how his body reacts to this drug. Like most immunotherapies, the side effects are potentially dangerous, but most patients only experience a fever.
Please continue to pray for Michael. We believe the Lord has brought him this far and we know we are never alone. Thank you for your continued love and support!
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