Sherrie was diagnosed with Stage II RET+ thyroid cancer twenty-two years ago in 2003: two years before the first oncogene-targeting therapies were FDA-approved and 14 years before trials for the primary RET-targeted therapy, Retevmo (selpercatinib) opened in the United States in 2017. A cancer friend had told Sherrie about how critically important clinical trials had been to her long-term survival - something Sherrie thought at the time might benefit other cancer patients but not her.
Then Sherrie became Stage IV when her cancer metastasized to her lungs and wrapped around her aorta and liver. In 2011, she joined Cabozantinib's Phase 1 clinical trial. Cabozantinib is a multi-kinase inhibitor (MKI) that works by blocking multiple tyrosine kinases, which are proteins that play a critical role in cell signaling. But because MKIs target multiple proteins, they can cause more & harsher side effects. In 2017, she moved over to the clinical trial for selpercatinib (Retevmo): the first RET TKI (tyrosene kinase inhibitor) targeted therapy trial to open in the country. Because TKIs only target a single kinase, they typically have fewer side effects & are better-tolerated than MKIs.
Sherrie draws a lot of optimism and perspective from the rate of scientific progress in the country. "It's kind of amazing. I can't believe how much better today's research and treatments are. I had some very rough patches earlier."
Sherrie has been progression-free since joining the Retevmo trial. Clinical trials have saved her life. Additionally, like many of us, her beloved dog, Byrdie, stood by her side and gave her unconditional love when she needed it most. "I can't even put into words how much this fluffball got me through my cancer journey. From naps on the couch after treatments to endless cuddles when I felt awful, Byrdie never left my side."