HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Finally

StephN · 10-24-2011, 10:51 AM

Ellie -

An allele is a tiny part of our DNA and there was a certain one being targeted by one of the "DNA" vaccine trials. The HL allele was the target and it needed to be number 2. My HLA was number 26 on my DNA. It was a very specific blood test that took a couple of weeks to come back from a special lab. The current trials are not targeting specific DNA.

The ANA stands for AntiNucleicAntibody. It is an indicator of autoimmune disease, and in some people it can be positive in one test and negative another time. Mine was always positive, due to "we know not what."

The FDA has removed that restriction from the current vaccine trial.

Our member here, Full of Beans, came from the UK for a vaccine trial. She can give you some answers as to how she managed the flights and lodging. Another member came from New Zealand early this year, you can find her info under the Clinical Trials forum.
Hope this helps.

10-24-2011, 10:51 AM	#23
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: Finally - a Vaccine Trial for me! Ellie - An allele is a tiny part of our DNA and there was a certain one being targeted by one of the "DNA" vaccine trials. The HL allele was the target and it needed to be number 2. My HLA was number 26 on my DNA. It was a very specific blood test that took a couple of weeks to come back from a special lab. The current trials are not targeting specific DNA. The ANA stands for AntiNucleicAntibody. It is an indicator of autoimmune disease, and in some people it can be positive in one test and negative another time. Mine was always positive, due to "we know not what." The FDA has removed that restriction from the current vaccine trial. Our member here, Full of Beans, came from the UK for a vaccine trial. She can give you some answers as to how she managed the flights and lodging. Another member came from New Zealand early this year, you can find her info under the Clinical Trials forum. Hope this helps. __________________ "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.