Her2 +++
 

Okay, so I need to look more closely at my path report.
But does the degree of HER2 make a difference? What about degree of Er+ and Pr+?
I know I am triple positive but .......
More scary things to worry about .....shit!

Re: Her2 +++
 

Some pathology reports state the % positive the ER and PR is. For example, I am ER 50% and PR negative.

Some also report it much the same as Her2 - ER+++, PR++ (meaning in normal speak, ER highly positive, PR medium positive).

Does yours say anything else like the above?

Re: Her2 +++
 

receptor status guides tx. my wife is strong her2, but we know a woman who is triple pos, who has gottten good response from her2 drugs like herc itself , and tykerb. Has used er + drugs as well. various combos for many yrs , since early 2000's . My overall advice is , if you have metastatic bc , it is by definition aggressive, so get aggressive tx at a leading research hospital, if possible. With a bc specialist ( so many see generalist oncologists ). Dont hesitate to get second opinions.

Re: Her2 +++
 

I'm highly triple pos and as Becky mentioned something like 90% er/pr/her2 but still doing well and approaching seven years out next month:)

Re: Her2 +++
 

So I looked at my path report, it does not say anything about the intensity of HER2 other than that I am positive. Does the degree or intensity of HER2 make a difference in terms of reoccurance or is positive simply positive?

I am 96% ER positive. Can't recall % on pr.
Not sure I consider my cancer metastic. I have 1/4 positive lymph node with local extension. CT ( chest?) and bone scan clear.

Re: Her2 +++
 

Our doc never said anything about level of her2 in 06 , at dx. But to get t dm-1 , they referred to path rpt, a "6 " on the FISH scale, w any reading above a 3 to be significant for response to herceptin t dm-1. Plus Lorraine is only her2. My hunch is that t dm-1 works best w. pure her2 overexpression, easier target ?? . May not work as well w/ some er +, pr + , mixed in. should still be tried w/ any high her2 as late stage tx. Maybe when approved , it will be used in diff. combos to hit other types of bc..

Re: Her2 +++
 

Phil- are yo the main support for your wife? Do you have children at home? I am looking to chat with a husband of a wife with bc.

Also, what is dm-1?

Re: Her2 +++
 

Alicia,

There's some very good information about Her2+++ breast cancer listed in the Homepage. Below is the link to the portion where Her2+, Her2++, Her2+++ are explained.

http://her2support.org/her2-breast-c...s-a-treatments

T-DM1 is a new treatment 'method' for Her2 +++ breast cancer. T= Trastuzumab = Herceptin = targeted medicine for Her2 positive (+++) breast cancer

T-DM1 uses Herceptin to deliver a special 'something' directly to the cancer cells that are Her2+++, so it has less side effects and more effective. There are expanded trials available in many cancer centers. And we've been hoping it will be approved by the FDA soon. You can find more discussions on T-DM1 using the 'Search' button on top.

Re: Her2 +++
 

TDM-1 is Herceptin conjugated (chemically bound to) Mayastine. Mayastine is too toxic to be given IV. When tied to the Herceptin (which only binds to Her+ receptors on the cancer cells) can deliver the Mayastine directly to the cancer cells with less side effects. Herceptin is a Monoclonal Antibody (MAb) that is derived from taking Her+ cell proteins and fusing them with mammalian cells to make a cell line that makes the proteins called Monoclonal Antibodies. I did some of the first work on diagnostic MAbs back in the mid 1980s. I also did some of the first work on conjugation at the same time. So yes I do know what I am talking about. I followed HER + going to the brain after Nov 2009 when my wife Nina was found to have it. I get information that others cannot. I am not as knowledgeable about Xeloda and Tykerb as others in the pharm industry, but I am not bad. GSK corporate is 15 miles down the road and Tykerb was developed there. I have talked to the development team face to face. I think I can provide good information to those that want it. As for the French 5% brain mets for BC, the most current thought is 30% for HER+. Please test for it early as the ablve articles all attribute success to early intervention.

Paul

Re: Her2 +++
 

AliciaB,
I am the husband of a wife with bc. Feel free to chat with me whenever. ~Greg

Re: Her2 +++
 

I have one young adult still at home, 24 yo son. 3 older daughters, with 5 grandch., 2 more on the way ! My first wife passed away from bc in '92. battling met. bc since '06 w/ second wife. happy to share my experience w/ you, others .