This patient story is sponsored by AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and is promoted through the Patient Worthy Collaborative Content program. We only publish content that embodies our mission of providing relevant, vetted, and valuable information to patient communities. If you are interested in sharing your story, please call 888-818-1673.
You Are Not Alone
For patients living with advanced kidney cancer, the journey can feel daunting, isolating, and overwhelming. The uncertainty that comes with an advanced cancer diagnosis can cast a long shadow, making even the strongest feel alone in their struggles. Yet, it is essential to remember that you are not alone. Building a strong support system and working closely with your healthcare team to explore treatment options can have a profound impact. With appropriate resources and care, you can find strength, hope, and a clearer path forward during this challenging time.
Acknowledging the Challenge and the Importance of Hope
Living with relapsed or refractory advanced kidney cancer can be incredibly difficult, especially for patients who have undergone multiple treatments. Each setback can feel like another door closing, and the hope for better days can become difficult to maintain. However, advancements mean that there are still options available.
A Journey from Diagnosis to New Possibilities
Meet Chris.
His journey with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) began in a way he never expected, swift and unyielding, completely changing his life in just a matter of days.
Known in his community for his charisma, spirited energy, and legendary homemade salsa, Chris was the picture of health. One morning however, Chris woke up with difficulty urinating that quickly became so unbearable it sent him to his primary care physician (PCP). Assuming that his symptoms were just the result of something common and inconsequential, Chris was surprised when his PCP urgently sent him to a urologist that same day. The urologist suspected a mass or tumor was causing Chris’s discomfort after draining urine and blood from his bladder. This suspicion was quickly confirmed through a scan of his kidneys. And just like that, Chris went to sleep one night feeling well and unaware of what was ahead, and before his head could hit the same pillow again, he was scheduling appointments with an oncologist and a surgeon.
Less than a week later, Chris went into surgery being told that there was no way to know until they started the procedure what the outcome would be. Chris was pretty distraught about the abrupt changes happening to him so suddenly and seemingly out of the blue, and especially terrified about what all of it meant for his future. He had very little time to process the possibility of having kidney cancer or what a diagnosis would mean for him. So, Chris knew that if he was going to make it through this, he was going to have to trust his doctors.
But as it turned out, trusting his healthcare team was the easy part. From the start, Chris’s doctors took the time to talk to him about every aspect of his condition, discussing all of Chris’s options and the potential side effects of each. Every decision was made together, ensuring Chris felt informed and supported throughout the process. Sometimes Chris pushed back or even disagreed with the recommendations his doctors put forth, but each time he did, they would explain the reasons to him, with clarity and honesty, ensuring that Chris completely understood what was at stake. And almost as quickly as Chris’s diagnosis came, so did the trust and respect for his doctors.
“I don’t want cancer to define me. Yes, I have cancer, and it’s changed my life in many ways, but I will always keep a positive outlook and just continue to find new ways to live with it. I’m just gonna keep going forward, keep doing the best I can, and keep laughing.”
When his oncologist recommended FOTIVDA (tivozanib), Chris was eager to continue fighting and trusted the guidance he was given. FOTIVDA (tivozanib) is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with advanced kidney cancer (advanced renal cell carcinoma or RCC) that has been treated with two or more prior medicines and has come back or did not respond to treatment. Common side effects include tiredness, diarrhea, decreased appetite, nausea, hoarseness, low levels of thyroid hormones, cough, mouth sores, decreased blood levels of salt (sodium) and phosphate, increased levels of lipase in the blood. Together, he and his doctor carefully discussed the potential risks and benefits of treatment and decided that FOTIVDA was the right choice for him.
Chris’s resolve and persistence began to pay off. After starting therapy, scan after scan showed positive results, confirming that the treatment slowed the progression of his cancer. Chris and his doctor continue to monitor for potential serious side effects that may occur when taking FOTIVDA, such as sudden, severe increase in your blood pressure (hypertensive crisis) that can lead to death.
Chris also found support through AVEO ACE, a comprehensive program that provides personalized and ongoing support to those with advanced RCC. Chris was able to easily enroll in the program, which provided him with copay assistance and ensured that his medication arrived reliably at his door. AVEO ACE Program Specialists perform regular check-ins, and the program has become an essential part of Chris’s support system.
Today, Chris wakes up each morning and reminds himself that the next step is to simply get up and do it all over again. His life now moves in rhythm with his scan schedule, each three-month interval bringing a mix of anxiety and hope as he waits to see if anything has changed. While the world looks different than it did before his diagnosis and the future holds more uncertainty, he’s learned to savor the small moments, grateful for each day and the chance to be present. He tries to find joy where he can, to learn something new each day, and to share those lessons with others. Through it all, he remains thankful for another day, determined to keep moving forward, one step at a time. Most of all, Chris feels immense gratitude for his friends, family, and doctors, knowing that he was able to make it here today because he never had to face his cancer alone.
“My journey has been a lot like making salsa. It’s all about finding the appropriate mix of ingredients – support, hope, and treatment, and adjusting them little by little until everything comes together.”
Why FOTIVDA May Be the Right Choice
The effectiveness and safety of FOTIVDA was proven in a clinical study of people (350 people in total) with relapsed or refractory advanced kidney cancer where at least two prior medicines stopped working. These medicines included an immunotherapy and other treatments. During the study, 175 people were randomly chosen to take FOTIVDA and 175 were chosen to take sorafenib. FOTIVDA helped people with advanced RCC live significantly longer without their cancer growing or spreading. Patients treated with FOTIVDA experienced a 44% increase in the time they lived without tumor growth or spread compared to those taking sorafenib (median progression-free survival: 5.6 months versus 3.9 months, based on 175 patients in each group).
2x
as many people who took FOTIVDA had their tumor(s) get smaller in size
with 18% experiencing tumor shrinkage (compared with 8% taking sorafenib)
73%
experienced disease control with FOTIVDA
(compared with 65% taking sorafenib)
These results offer renewed hope and options for appropriate patients who have already navigated the complexities of advanced kidney cancer treatments and have been treated with two or more prior medicines. While every patient’s experience is unique, FOTIVDA has an established tolerability profile, with fewer interruptions, dose reductions, and discontinuations due to side effects compared to sorafenib. It is conveniently taken once daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break. Side effects can occur when taking FOTIVDA, with the most common being tiredness, high blood pressure, and diarrhea. Please call your healthcare provider right away if you experience any side effects. Please see additional important safety information throughout or visit FOTIVDA.com.
Support and Resources for Every Step
Starting a new treatment regimen can feel overwhelming, but patients beginning FOTIVDA are not alone. The AVEO ACE program provides patients with access to ACE Program Specialists, educational materials, and a caring support team to guide them through every phase of treatment. This hands-on approach ensures that patients have the resources and knowledge they need to manage their medication and address concerns as they arise.
Additionally, connecting with others who are living with advanced kidney cancer can make a meaningful difference. Peer support offers comfort, encouragement, and a sense of community, helping patients feel understood and less isolated during challenging times.
To learn more about the AVEO ACE program and to find ways to enroll, please click here.
You Are Not Alone – Chris’s Message of Resilience
Chris’s journey is a powerful reminder that no one has to face advanced kidney cancer alone. His story highlights the importance of hope, support, and perseverance. Chris encourages other patients to keep moving forward, embrace each day, and actively explore treatment options in partnership with their doctor. By sharing his experience, Chris hopes to inspire others with advanced kidney cancer to talk with their doctors about FOTIVDA and to never give up on finding hope and support.
Join the FOTIVDA Ambassador Program
Have experience with FOTIVDA? Help others feel less alone.
If you’ve been treated with FOTIVDA and want to support others facing advanced kidney cancer, consider becoming a FOTIVDA Ambassador. By sharing your story, you can inspire hope, offer encouragement, and make a difference in the lives of others. Email [email protected] or Call 1-888-818-1673 to learn more and sign up.
