HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Response to my request to continue herceptin.

Lolly · 04-27-2007, 03:42 PM

Hi Chelee; from what I can glean the study that looked at nine weeks of Herceptin involved a small number of women and looked at Herceptin given for nine weeks BEFORE chemo. In the articles I found (Google Herceptin nine week study) the conclusions were that while promising, more research would be needed to confirm the benefit. Here's a couple of links to look at:

Short stint of Herceptin holds promise for breast cancer. Study looks at using drug before chemo instead of longer period afterward
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=406135

<OOptimizing Adjuvant Treatment for Patients With HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: An Expert Interview With Dr. Clifford Hudis<O</O
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/532396

<O

04-27-2007, 03:42 PM	#5
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	Hi Chelee; from what I can glean the study that looked at nine weeks of Herceptin involved a small number of women and looked at Herceptin given for nine weeks BEFORE chemo. In the articles I found (Google Herceptin nine week study) the conclusions were that while promising, more research would be needed to confirm the benefit. Here's a couple of links to look at: Short stint of Herceptin holds promise for breast cancer. Study looks at using drug before chemo instead of longer period afterward http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=406135 <OOptimizing Adjuvant Treatment for Patients With HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: An Expert Interview With Dr. Clifford Hudis<O</O http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/532396 <O __________________ Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation. Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.