HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - My Opinion of the Biggest Highlights of SABCS

StephN · 12-20-2006, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the info on those presentations, Becky.

We FINALLY have our power AND Comcast back after that horrendous storm we had out here in the Misty Woods.

<<17AAG is a targeted therapy for metastatic Her2+ bc. 17AAG is a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor. It inhibits Her2 to be able to unfold and go through the chemical reactions it needs to in order to be active (basically shutting down Her2 activity). This molecule, tested in only a few women who were Herceptin resistant, had great activity and is a promising new molecule that works in a different way, in a different pathway, that either Herceptin or Tykerb (thus - more combinations of Targeted therapies that could have syngergies with each other)>>

I know a woman from Montana on this trial who comes to Seattle to get this drug. She is one of only NINE patients here on it, and has had some positive results as of a couple of weeks ago. The stuff is purple and is a long infusion; it is mixed with something that makes her feel a little tipsy. One can't drive when you get it.

Abraxane/Avastin combo. I have another friend here (a women in her mid-70's) who just got off this for stubborn nodes and a spot on her ribs. It was not easy on her, but for the first time in YEARS her tumor markers are well into the normal range and her PET scan was clean. She is now bouncing back energywise. The only really bad thing is that somehow these drugs shot her blood pressure up and she still needs about 10-12 pills a day to control that. BP was never a problem for her prior to getting these drugs.

Keep the good news coming. Both my friends did not know how things would turn out, but they both are contributing to the GOOD side of the stats with their results.

12-20-2006, 01:00 PM	#14
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Great news! Thanks for the info on those presentations, Becky. We FINALLY have our power AND Comcast back after that horrendous storm we had out here in the Misty Woods. <<17AAG is a targeted therapy for metastatic Her2+ bc. 17AAG is a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor. It inhibits Her2 to be able to unfold and go through the chemical reactions it needs to in order to be active (basically shutting down Her2 activity). This molecule, tested in only a few women who were Herceptin resistant, had great activity and is a promising new molecule that works in a different way, in a different pathway, that either Herceptin or Tykerb (thus - more combinations of Targeted therapies that could have syngergies with each other)>> I know a woman from Montana on this trial who comes to Seattle to get this drug. She is one of only NINE patients here on it, and has had some positive results as of a couple of weeks ago. The stuff is purple and is a long infusion; it is mixed with something that makes her feel a little tipsy. One can't drive when you get it. Abraxane/Avastin combo. I have another friend here (a women in her mid-70's) who just got off this for stubborn nodes and a spot on her ribs. It was not easy on her, but for the first time in YEARS her tumor markers are well into the normal range and her PET scan was clean. She is now bouncing back energywise. The only really bad thing is that somehow these drugs shot her blood pressure up and she still needs about 10-12 pills a day to control that. BP was never a problem for her prior to getting these drugs. Keep the good news coming. Both my friends did not know how things would turn out, but they both are contributing to the GOOD side of the stats with their results. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.