John Litten: Participating on a PARP Clinical Trial for mCRPC

Alan H. Bryce, M.D.: We should tell the audience you went on rucaparib on the TRITON2 study because of the BRCA mutation. In fact, that is the study that led to rucaparib being approved by the FDA for the treatment of prostate cancer with BRCA mutations. You’re one of the men who decided to take that chance after we talked and contributed to bringing this drug to market for everyone else in the country. You’re still on the therapy. The drug is approved, the study is done, and it’s still working for you.

John Litten:Yes, I am so pleased. The drug is manufactured right outside Denver, by Clovis Oncology. Being part of the study was interesting because there’s a lot of information on the internet about rucaparib. It lists the potential side effects that could take place. I absolutely did have one or two of the more common side effects that over the period here of 14 months, the dosage level of my drug would be reduced a little. It was getting to be hard on my kidneys, but finally, I got to the point where we found a balance, where my kidneys could tolerate the drug and I virtually got from slight symptoms the first two or three months of nausea to for eight months now I have not had a nauseated day, period. I wouldn’t even know I’m taking a chemotherapy drug on this, particularly rucaparib. I swear by it. It’s done wonders for me so far, and I’m still on it. I hope it continues to work for me for a long period of time.

Alan H. Bryce, M.D.: We are over a year into this, I guess approaching a year and a half into this. I remain entirely optimistic that it’s going to continue to work for us. We don’t have any hint at all that that’s going to change. Again, you’ve done your part throughout in terms of taking care of yourself, healthy living, and working together. We’ve worked together through this with all the various changes we’ve had to make.

John Litten: Absolutely. I had to make a couple of lifestyle changes. I used to consume two or three glasses of wine at dinner a couple of days a week. I just stopped drinking alcohol. I’ve never smoked, so that worked to my benefit. But there were certain things that I just knew that I had to do. Whatever I could do—because you’re living with a depressed immune system, you don’t want to do something that’s more damaging to yourself that then works against the treatments that you’re receiving. It’s just smart to do what you can to keep your health better.

Transcript Edited for Clarity