HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Becky · 10-23-2008, 06:20 AM

Herceptin activates the immune system because (in theory) the herceptin attaches to the outside of the cancer cell preventing receptor crosstalk (which leads to reproduction). So, the cancer cell is just hanging out not being able to do anything. Some cancer cells will die a natural death. Others are theortically killed by the immune system because Herceptin is an antibody that is "non self". The immune system attacks "non self" things so the immune system attacks the Herceptin (which is attached to a cancer cell) and anniliates both.

10-23-2008, 06:20 AM	#31
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Herceptin activates the immune system because (in theory) the herceptin attaches to the outside of the cancer cell preventing receptor crosstalk (which leads to reproduction). So, the cancer cell is just hanging out not being able to do anything. Some cancer cells will die a natural death. Others are theortically killed by the immune system because Herceptin is an antibody that is "non self". The immune system attacks "non self" things so the immune system attacks the Herceptin (which is attached to a cancer cell) and anniliates both. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"