HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Final report on Phase I/II trial of E75 her2 bc vaccine

Joan M · 06-09-2014, 08:14 AM

Lani,

Thanks for this post. I'm glad to hear that some vaccine trials for breast cancer are in phase III.

I recently asked my oncologist why we don't see more phase III vaccine trials. It's as if they never make it to that phase. He said that's because they only "tickle" the immune system in breast cancer patients. Not much more than that.

I've been approached a few times about participating in a HER2+ vaccine trial and had been discussing that option with my oncologist.

Last year, I became more interested in immunotherapy for breast cancer after seeing the PD-L1 session at ASCO. However, I also learned there at a meeting for advocates that some cancers are more amenable to immunotherapy, such as melanoma, and that breast cancer isn't. That perhaps melanoma and some other cancers have more immune receptors (for lack of a better way to describe it) than breast cancer? But that doesn't mean that scientists shouldn't keep trying.

06-09-2014, 08:14 AM	#2
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: Final report on Phase I/II trial of E75 her2 bc vaccine Lani, Thanks for this post. I'm glad to hear that some vaccine trials for breast cancer are in phase III. I recently asked my oncologist why we don't see more phase III vaccine trials. It's as if they never make it to that phase. He said that's because they only "tickle" the immune system in breast cancer patients. Not much more than that. I've been approached a few times about participating in a HER2+ vaccine trial and had been discussing that option with my oncologist. Last year, I became more interested in immunotherapy for breast cancer after seeing the PD-L1 session at ASCO. However, I also learned there at a meeting for advocates that some cancers are more amenable to immunotherapy, such as melanoma, and that breast cancer isn't. That perhaps melanoma and some other cancers have more immune receptors (for lack of a better way to describe it) than breast cancer? But that doesn't mean that scientists shouldn't keep trying. __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!