DJ Drew's HPV Cancer Treatment

Our friend DJ Drew Harlander has an HPV cancer tumor at the base of his tongue, and he’s spent the last two years pursuing treatment options. After consulting with some of the best cancer clinics in the USA last fall, Drew began a clinical trial in February this year at OHSU in Portland. The treatment features immunotherapy teamed with Tidvak, aka Tisotumab Vedotin, a new low-dose chemotherapy designed to attack HPV tumor cells with minimal effects on healthy cells.

This chemo treatment was quite effective, reducing tumor size and symptoms rather quickly. But the autoimmune side effects from the immunotherapy became painful and challenging, with severe joint pain causing Drew’s doctor to take him off the treatment for a month plus. During that time off treatment, his tumor grew again.

After resuming treatment in July, the company overseeing the trial decided due to a technicality that Drew could no longer take that effective low-dose chemo in their trial. This chemo treatment is not currently covered by insurance as standard of care for cases like Drew’s. And in the three months since being off that medication, Drew’s symptoms and pain have ramped up to where they were before treatment originally began.

Medical oncology doctors in two states are currently pursuing filing appeals with insurance and Pfizer directly to continue receiving this low-dose chemo medication that’s provided so much relief and healing. But with the return of symptoms, including sometimes severe pain, Drew needs your help more than ever.

Due to that increase in his symptoms, Drew is unable to work as much as he’d like while out-of-pocket expenses have skyrocketed. The clinical study was paying for the transportation and care associated with the trial until he was dropped.

Drew has resumed immunotherapy treatments, but the sometimes severe joint pain it brings has prompted him to consider a move south to a warmer and drier climate less prone to autoimmune complications. Drew is also currently without transportation as his car’s engine has broken down and needs fixing so that he can attend treatment appointments.

Drew has a family of friends from Seattle, San Diego, and Los Angeles to Manhattan, Jersey, and Philly. He’s contributed to circles of musicians, actors, club scenes, and radio stations for over four decades of adult life, and would like to continue making heartfelt contributions to the communities he’s been honored to be a part of. But he needs our help to continue fighting for that.

This GoFundMe page will help Drew with the costs of healing and the costs of living associated with resuming treatment so that he’s able to gainfully work again soon. Any donation, big or small, would be appreciated. Drew’s Venmo is @djdrewling and the last four of his phone number is 9177 if you prefer to donate without the fees.

This cancer is as deadly as any other, and we hope for Drew the chance to live and thrive for as long as his healing will allow. He’s given so much to so many in music and performance for so long. This is our chance to give back during his time of need.

HPV is common. Get tested today for free:

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv/should-i-get-tested-hpv

We know that times remain tough for everyone, but if you can contribute, please know that your generosity is greatly appreciated. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with your friends and family.