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The theory that Herceptin causes brain mets was first proposed around 2001. It has since been debunked by many researchers. The problem is that Herceptin, because of its large molecular structure, does not cross the blood brain barrier and is thus ineffective in treating and preventing brain tumors.
A paper also published last year at SABCS , disclosed that women who are HER2 positive have a higher incidence of brain mets than other bc populations. This is largely due to the aggressiveness of HER2 positive disease .
Dr. Eric Winer, who is on our advisory board, has done considerable research and work treating brain mets with Tykerb and combinations. Hopefully he will present some information about his research next month at ASCO. Dr Winer WILL be presenting the clinical trial results of Tykerb in treating Metastatic breast cancer on Saturday June 3rd.
Our group will also be attending ASCO and will be talking to GSK’s neuro-oncology scientists about their research in this area.
We will also be distributing an awareness paper describing the surveillance, treatment and available resources in treating CNS tumors to the oncologists and researchers attending this meeting.
The writing and initial printing of this document was made available through generous grants to our group from Elekta/Leksall and The CINN Foundation of Chicago.
Future printings will dedicate this document to Mary Crawford and Linda Schmidt, 2 of our former members who passed away prematurely because their tumors were diagnosed too late to be treated.
Regards
Joe
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