How to Choose the Perfect Team: Strategies for Selecting the Right Players for Success

Brigitte Régnier’s journey through pancreatic cancer serves as a testament to resilience and the power of innovative medical care. Diagnosed with stage III pancreatic cancer at the age of 61, Brigitte faced a daunting path ahead. However, with the support of a multidisciplinary team of experts, she embarked on an unconventional treatment plan that would change her life. Two years later, after achieving remarkable progress, she is now confronting new challenges with a proactive spirit and a commitment to advocacy.

The Unconventional Approach to Treatment

Diagnosed in January 2016, Brigitte’s initial prognosis was grim. Her primary care physician, recognizing irregularities in her blood work, referred her to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. There, Dr. A. James Moser, co-director of the Pancreas and Liver Institute, delivered the life-altering news: a tumor located in the head of her pancreas was deemed borderline resectable. Although the tumor measured just over one centimeter, it was entangled with critical blood vessels, complicating surgical options.

• Initial Treatment Plan: Unlike traditional approaches that prioritize surgery, Brigitte’s team recommended a novel plan that included:
  • Three months of FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy
  • Follow-up scans for progress evaluation
  • Potential radiotherapy using CyberKnife
  • Whipple surgery, followed by additional chemotherapy

This innovative approach aimed to shrink the tumor before surgical intervention, a strategy gaining traction in recent studies for extending patient survival rates.

The Impact of a Dedicated Medical Team

Brigitte’s survival is a testament to the expertise and collaborative spirit of her medical team. Under the guidance of Dr. Moser, she benefitted from the insights of various specialists, including:

• Dr. Rebecca A. Miksad and Dr. Mary Linton B. Peters (oncology)
• Dr. Anand Mahadevan (radiation oncology)
• Dr. Douglas K. Pleskow (gastroenterology)
• Dr. Jeffrey L. Weinstein (radiology)

Their collective effort not only provided comprehensive care but also fostered a sense of trust and security for Brigitte. The team’s willingness to explore novel strategies demonstrated a commitment to her well-being, allowing her to live a normal life, albeit with the aid of pancreatic enzymes.

Facing New Challenges

After enjoying two cancer-free years, Brigitte discovered lung nodules in the summer of 2018. Biopsy results confirmed that these nodules were slow-growing metastases. Determined to find the best treatment options, she scheduled consultations, including one with a thoracic surgical oncologist, with hopes of managing her condition as a chronic disease.

Brigitte also pursued molecular profiling of her tumors through the Know Your Tumor precision medicine service, which revealed specific genetic mutations. Although the findings were not as promising for immunotherapy as she had hoped, she remained optimistic about the potential for more targeted treatments.

Advocacy for Future Patients

Brigitte has dedicated herself to supporting others facing pancreatic cancer. As the co-moderator of a pancreatic cancer forum on The Cancer Forums, she actively engages with patients and participates in various advocacy events, including PanCAN PurpleStride and National Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. Recently, she joined the board of the nonprofit AFFPC and enrolled in a research study aimed at developing living organoids from her biopsy tissues for drug testing.

Believing in the importance of aggressive surgical interventions, she highlights the advancements in treating tumors with vascular involvement, advocating for greater awareness of these innovative approaches.

Conclusion

Brigitte Régnier’s story exemplifies hope, determination, and the impact of collaborative healthcare. Her journey through pancreatic cancer has not only transformed her life but also inspired countless others to advocate for research and support. Though she faced significant challenges, her legacy as an advocate continues to shine brightly, encouraging those who follow in her footsteps.

Brigitte passed away almost six years after her diagnosis, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy and hope. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family.