HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - On Herceptin for more than a year

Lolly · 05-18-2007, 08:14 AM

Hi Nora, I was on Herceptin for over six years for Stage IV, and just last month stopped it and moved on to Tykerb. Most oncologists won't continue Herceptin indefinitely in earlier stage disease because it's an unknown.
Perhaps you should consider looking into clinical trials? The TEACH trial is recruiting early stage HER2+'s to test Tykerb against a placebo, to determine if it will prevent recurrence.

<3 Lolly

05-18-2007, 08:14 AM	#3
Lolly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,756	Hi Nora, I was on Herceptin for over six years for Stage IV, and just last month stopped it and moved on to Tykerb. Most oncologists won't continue Herceptin indefinitely in earlier stage disease because it's an unknown. Perhaps you should consider looking into clinical trials? The TEACH trial is recruiting early stage HER2+'s to test Tykerb against a placebo, to determine if it will prevent recurrence. <3 Lolly __________________ Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation. Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.