Cancerous Prostate

Question:

I am posting this message requesting information for thalidamide which I believe is now being used in the treatment of various types of cancers.  I bellive it has been used in a limited way to treat prostate cancer?  We saw someting on TV. just as it was ending about clinical trials for more types of cancer and did not get the necessary information to contact anyone.  Does anybody have any information about the latest use of the drug? Some of you who regularly read this newsgroup probably have Rose Welshs’ book CANCER S.O.S.  She is still fighting this stinking disease, ovarian cancer stage 111, and we are wondering if anybody else can give us some input.  Carbo and taxol both seem to have lost their effectivness for her and we are trying to find something new. If any of you have her book and have found it helpful, how about dropping a note and letting her know it, she would feel good if she knew she had been able to help someone else in their battle. Incidently, she is scheduled to speak to "Gilda’s Club" in New York on March 25th and is to address the Nationl Lymphoma Conference this fall in California.   Also she has been invited to participate in the Annual Health Show at Walt Disnet World in the fall.  Other appearances are scheduled but I can’t remember the rest. By the way thanks to each of you who have emailed or called to talk to Rose in the past, she really appreciates it. Gary & Rose of CANCER S.O.S.

Response:

My wife was put on thalidamide after multiple chemo "cocktails" weren’t successful for her breast cancer. The onco gave good "theory" as to why thalidamide should work on cancer tumours (starve the tumours of blood, etc.), so we were excited. But my wife only stayed on the tablets for a very short time, because she started getting nerve reactions (very painful pins and needles), and also began to get a bit vague. She’s now trialling Xeloda. First indications are that some tumours have stopped growing, but those in her pelvis, lungs and other breast are still growing, but the doctors say at a slower rate than predicted. Very few side effects (a bit of dryness on the palms of her hands – but no hair loss). We live in a little hope and a lot of prayer. Regards David (Sydney, Australia)

Response: