Irinotecan
 

Hello,
Does anyone have experience with Irinotecan? A cancer fighter I know has just been put on this "Tier 3" drug and we are hoping for results. She has exhausted first and second tiers, hence has been bumped up to the third tier of drugs.
Thanks,
Karen

Re: Irinotecan
 

I haven't heard of "tiers". What is her "situation..what has she had prior?

Re: Irinotecan
 

Rich,
She is not an HER2. She has exhausted all options and this is the drug of choice for her now, to see how far it'll take her. Apparently, there are drugs that are grouped in Tier 1, and they are the drugs expected to be successful; when they fail, on to Tier 2, the next group that may have some efficacy.
Thanks
Karen

Re: Irinotecan
 

Rich if I can be so bold, My Dad has lung cancer and when the chemo stopped working he moved on to 3 tier drugs which are all trial drugs. My Dad made it to the 2 tier that worked for him and he has been stable ever since (over a year now) I am just guessing that is similer to the treatment trial drugs for breast cancer also. I don't remember the name of the drug right now but I can find out if you wish.

Re: Irinotecan
 

Triple negative? ER+? Possible to biopsy? Directed therapies (radiation, ablation) possible?
Has she had single drugs or combinations? Pemetrexed/Alimta?

Pray,
That's great news! Yeah..would love to know the drug.

Re: Irinotecan
 

Rich, My sister is in charge of my dads medical records and she said it was Tarviset but she will check his records to make sure she is correct. The worst side effect for my dad was an awful rash on face, trunk and back. Not very atractive at all.

Re: Irinotecan
 

Rich, the correct spelling is Tarceva.

Re: Irinotecan
 

Hello Karen -

I have a friend here who was put on that drug about 18 months ago and after 2 doses had to halt it. She could not tolerate it. Her docs said that she had too many toxic drugs up to then and her body would only stand the targeted ones. After she recovered from that, she finally was able to get TDM-1, which has her NED!!!

Hopefully your friend will do better with it. Two doses is not enough to see much result.