Text: Catherine Cossy

"Each time you're afraid that they will tell you no."

Patients

Like all the patients included in the protocol, Pierre must undergo a series of tests spread over three weeks, each of which is eliminatory. Just one negative result and he would no longer be able to participate in the trial.

In addition to a thorough medical examination, the patients undergo an electrocardiogram, a cardiac ultrasound, a chest X-ray, a scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, an MRI brain scan and blood tests.

Pierre attends the consultation with a knot in his stomach: “At each stage, I would receive the results of the previous test, and if they were good, I was given another appointment. I’ve come back to Lausanne at least five times.”

He particularly remembers the echocardiogram. “It was to determine whether my heart would be able to cope with all the treatments. I lay down, I was given something to drink and patches were attached to me for monitoring. The test was overwhelming. But at least you know immediately whether it is OK.”

Obstacle course

Some tests, such as the scan, are routine practice. Pierre’s stress levels peaked during the MRI brain scan: “If they had found more than three brain metastases…”. He also spends the entire morning at the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Centre in Épalinges. A blood sample is taken to obtain the cells that are required for the TILs manufacturing process.

After finally completing this series of tests, Pierre is preparing himself mentally for the crucial weeks ahead of him in the hospital. He has faith in this treatment and to give himself courage he decides to get a dog. “I went to Bordeaux with my daughter and son-in-law to pick him up, it’s a 5-year-old show dog, a miniature schnauzer. I wasn’t able to get a puppy because I wouldn’t have been able to train him.” Pierre thinks of everything, even the worst case scenario: “If I don’t come back, we know who would take him.”



Share:

 
 
 

On the same subject

What's happening in Lausanne

What's happening in Lausanne

The capital of the canton of Vaud is an oncological research centre which is today recognised throughout Europe. Work on cellular immunotherapy is advancing rapidly and offers a glimpse of a historic breakthrough. This is the story of the team's work, through the eyes of George Coukos.

In melanoma country

In melanoma country

Switzerland is one of the European countries most affected by melanoma, with some 2,700 new cases diagnosed each year. This skin cancer is also one that responds best to immunotherapy. Explanations by Olivier Michielin.

Did you say immunotherapy?

Did you say immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy represents a true turning point in the treatment of cancer, even though it can currently only be offered to certain types of patients. Learn about the advances and the limits of this treatment option with Solange Peters.

Design me a trial

Design me a trial

Whilst approximately 100 research protocols against cancer are currently open at CHUV, all coordinated within the Experimental Therapies Centre, Lana Kandalaft walks us through the challenges of setting up a clinical trial: the intricate path from the laboratory to the patient's bedside.