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al from Canada · 12-09-2005, 05:21 PM

I have to concur with Robin,s assessment that HER2 status often upregulates especially after Hormonal therapy or dose-dense chemo. Cancer has proven to be a VERY sneaky opponent with numerous pathways to plug into when assualted. IE, cross-talk between ER and HER2 may upgrulate HER2 if the cancer is being killed by ER therapy. Likewise, if you are HER2+ and ER+ and on herceptin, you may find that ER become up-regulated. The delimma that I think many HER2 - MBC patients face is is what is the HER2 status of the mets and how do we test for it, while the least invasive method is fine-needle asperation.

The readers digest version.....if you develop MBC, don't make the assumption that HER2 status is the same as the primary tumor,,,that one could cost you dearly.
Regards,
Al

12-09-2005, 05:21 PM	#3
al from Canada Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 722	from SABCS I have to concur with Robin,s assessment that HER2 status often upregulates especially after Hormonal therapy or dose-dense chemo. Cancer has proven to be a VERY sneaky opponent with numerous pathways to plug into when assualted. IE, cross-talk between ER and HER2 may upgrulate HER2 if the cancer is being killed by ER therapy. Likewise, if you are HER2+ and ER+ and on herceptin, you may find that ER become up-regulated. The delimma that I think many HER2 - MBC patients face is is what is the HER2 status of the mets and how do we test for it, while the least invasive method is fine-needle asperation. The readers digest version.....if you develop MBC, don't make the assumption that HER2 status is the same as the primary tumor,,,that one could cost you dearly. Regards, Al __________________ Primary care-giver to and advocate for Linda, who passed away April 27, 2006.