[chrisy]

Hi Kristin,
Optimism? Heck yes!!!!!

I was in an early Phase II trial, after having Herceptin fail after 2 years and an 8 month trial of Tykerb/Avastin. I had heard about TDM1, both at San Antonio BC Symposium (including a discussion about the Phase I trial in which a crowd of uber-oncologists were so excited they could barely contain themselves!) as well as from Her2sisters here. The phase II trial was opening up at UCSF JUST when I needed it.

I asked my doctor a similar question, why would TDM1 work even after Herceptin and Tykerb had failed? Of course, EVERYONE in the trials to that date had had both fail. She told me "because it's different. You are using the Herceptin mainly as a targeting mechanism, not relying on it to stop the cancer. The "DM1" piece does that"

TDM1 worked great for me for 3 years, bringing me to NED in 6 months. Although for me it was not a cure, while on TDM1 I enjoyed a great quality of life and "bought" 3 more years of research and progress. There are many others here who got, or are getting, great results.

It's a great drug - If you have an opportunity to use it, take it!

By the way, Jackie, it was I who coined it "TDM!". By accident at first because I didn't release the shift key, but I left it that way because of the GREAT response.