FROM MULTIPLE TREATMENTS TO RENEWED HOPE
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HEAR MIKE DESCRIBE HIS 16-YEAR EXPERIENCE THAT ENDED WITH BREYANZI CAR T-CELL THERAPY
Mike made the decision to go with Breyanzi, and he’s never looked back.
“Get an oncologist you feel comfortable with. You have to find the right treatment for yourself.”
—Mike, a real Breyanzi patient
Mike’s path to cancer was different from many. When his wife was diagnosed with melanoma years earlier, it made him more vigilant about his own health.
In the summer of 2008, while showering one morning, Mike noticed a small bump on his back. He mentioned it to his wife, who encouraged him to see his primary care physician. During his appointment, his doctor noticed that Mike's lymph nodes were swollen and ordered some tests, including an ultrasound and bone marrow aspiration.
What came next was unexpected and life-altering.
On his 38th birthday, Mike’s doctor told him, "You have leukemia, a type of cancer called CLL. This type of cancer is typically slow-growing and you're young to get CLL. Usually, it's more of an older person's disease."
The shock was immediate. Mike's concerns weren't about himself—they were about his family. He had two young children, and his wife was eight months pregnant with their third child. Everything was about to change.
Mike was fortunate to connect with a renowned CLL specialist who had just joined his local cancer center. What followed was a nearly 16-year journey through eight different treatments as his cancer repeatedly adapted and his medical team continuously adjusted course.
For 16 years after his initial diagnosis, Mike underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, tried different oral medications, and participated in several clinical trials.
When CAR T-cell therapy became an option, everything changed for Mike.
Individual results may vary.
When CAR T-cell therapy with Breyanzi was approved, Mike didn’t hesitate. He made his decision to move forward with treatment.
After Mike received his Breyanzi infusion, his side effects were manageable, consisting of both general fatigue and muscle and joint fatigue, which lasted a few days. He did not experience fever or any other side effects. This was Mike’s unique experience. Everyone’s experience is different.
Individual results may vary.
Mike continues to be tested regularly and his lab results and blood work remain in the normal range. He exercises regularly and has returned to coaching his son's sports team—something that brings him genuine joy. His three children are now teenagers and young adults; his youngest is attending high school at home while his older two are away at college.
When asked why he shares his story, Mike is clear about his purpose: “To give others hope. If sharing my story helps only one person, then I've done a positive piece in somebody’s life, and that would be fantastic.”
Individual results may vary.
Patients treated with Breyanzi who had no signs of cancer continued to be in complete remission. This does not mean the cancer has been cured. Patients are directed to continue monitoring for potential recurrence and long-term side effects.
