Tykerb Targets Cancer Stem Cells

[tousled1]

Dec. 17, 2007 (San Antonio) -- For the first time, researchers have shown that a drug, Tykerb, can slash the number of cancer (http://www.webmd.com/cancer/) stem cells in women with breast cancer (http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/), curbing tumor growth.

full article: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20071217/tykerb-targets-cancer-stem-cells

[Sandy in Silicon Valley]

Hi, Kate -

My onc just returned from SABC with some other info about Tykerb. Latest research shows it only 28% effective in elongating the time-to-progression of both existing, and newly-emerging, brain mets.

I think that's why you, and I, are on the drug, no?

My onc also said that there's some more research being done on Herceptin + Tykerb, w/ and w/o Xeloda, but the data isn't in as yet.

I'm thinking of going off the Tykerb if my next set of brain scans (MRI and MRS) don't support staying on it. The side effects are just too nasty on my QOL (severe diarrhea every 3 days or so, acne & itching - especially inside my nose!, and seemingly a lowered immune system & more vulnerability to assorted infections) to merit staying on it for the "what if" factor.

(((hugs))) & good seeing you on the bcmets list as well!
Sandy