['lizbeth]

If I am following the latest studies, the combination of neoadjuvant Paclitaxol, Herceptin & Tykerb is likely superior to THP, and likely inferior to neoadjuvant TCHP in randomized studies. It cannot be a direct comparison as the number of treatments are not equivalent.

It is time to stop randomized trials and compare against a standard. The best treatment should be found by functional profiling - like the recent approval for CLL.

The best treatment for a patient's cancer could be Tykerb, Herceptin and Paclitaxel, it could be Perjeta, Tykerb, Carboplatin & Adriamycin or it could simply be Herceptin. It could be that none are needed. It is time to stop using patients like lab rats and accept that using tumor and blood samples when possible best defines the concept of "first do no harm."

This information on Tykerb and Herceptin & Paclitaxel is wonderful, I like the concept of less chemo treatments.

I'm back on the soap box again - saying the system has reached its maximum effectiveness. Imagine if we select the group of women that this combination is most effective for by utilizing functional profiling. Tykerb, Herceptin & Paclitaxel could have a 90% effective rate for this group - until the industry stops trying to work around the best tool we have patients will continue to suffer needless chemotherapy and recurrences.

Stepping off the soap box now. . .