Please I Beg

Believe51 · 06-08-2007, 05:16 AM

Girls, I am wondering between your busy day that you can reply to my deperate pleas!! My hubby=(Stage IV Inflammatory HER2+) stopped treatment on 4/12/06 that consisted of Taxotere, Herceptin, monthly Zometa(stopped Taxotere). His mets are in all bones except skull. He also takes Tamoxifen dialy. We will be getting tons of results to many tests & scans today, but his tumor markers are climbing quite consistently (like 110%), says he feels well. I guess the main ? is: If the Taxotere combo failed, what did you girls do for your new chemo recipe? It has only been an 8 week window without chemo, but I am shaking today, I am need of desperate support and I am so sorry if I sound like I am whining. I am just having a bad day and of course I will have to deal with whatever comes from it. We are getting a second opinion about treatment and new recipe on 6/19 with another remarkable Oncologist and then we will be going to Dana Farber Cancer Institute short after. And I do have my GREEN SHOES on!! Any suggestions for questions or recommendations I should be making today? He has been on Taxotere form 10/06 thru 4/12/07. I look forward for the guidance My Friends...>Waiting For A Miracle>Believe51..(Marie G)

Joe · 06-08-2007, 05:29 AM

Marie,

Try to get an appointment with Dr. Eric Winer while at Dana Farber. He is one of the best oncologists in the country and is aware of all of the latest research.

He is also aware of our support group and strongly supports us.

Warmest Regards
Joe

Believe51 · 06-08-2007, 05:57 AM

Then I guess you read what I think of you!! (and Christine)!! Thanks a million, you're the best!..>Believe51>

Karen Weixel · 06-08-2007, 06:59 AM

What about an Aromatase Inhibitor? There have actually been some studies that show Tamoxifin is not effective in treating Her2 Breast Cancer.

Karen

caya · 06-08-2007, 07:19 AM

Marie,

I cannot offer any treatment advice, but I want you and your DH to know that I am thinking of you both and praying for a new treatment plan for him.

May God bless you both.

all the best
Caya

Mary Anne in TX · 06-08-2007, 07:38 AM

Hi! The taxotere didn't work for me either, but other stuff has. You are doing all the right things. Listen to Joe and the others and seek the best advice available to you. Take a deep breath and trust you're doing your "green shoes" very best for your husband. One day at a time. I'm sending a big prayer and belief for peace your way. Lots of love, ma

R.B. · 06-08-2007, 07:47 AM

I am not an expert and cannot offer treatment advice.

I am just bring things to you attention you may wish to discuss with your onc. DHA / EPA lipid infusions are have been been trialled with melanoma and intestinal cancers from memory showing promise. DHA /EPA infusions are from memory reported in assisting with cachexia see link below.

A trial suggested DHA might work to upgrade the effect of Taxol - Taoxotere 15 - 5 fold. I do not know if there have been trials in people as against a lab.

Just something for you to take to your onc if you are both looking for options.

RB

http://www.eurjcancerprev.com/pt/re/ejcp/abstract.00008469-200506000-00011.htm;jsessionid=GpnGN5XnCBJlShw8wDHVSZ8jqhJvs fn3thv3nxbp7QvGhB45yX2J!-1804036389!-949856145!8091!-1

Abstract

Abstract:
[omega]-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) and other [omega]-3 and [omega]-6 PUFAs have raised interest as novel anticancer agents by exerting selective cytotoxic effects on human cancer cells without affecting normal tissues. Here, we examined the in vitro relationship between exogenous supplementation with DHA and breast cancer chemosensitivity to taxanes. We measured cell viability in the highly metastatic human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 exposed sequentially to DHA followed by paclitaxel (Taxol) or docetaxel (Taxotere). As DHA by itself showed cytotoxic effects, possible synergistic interactions between DHA and taxanes were assessed, employing the combination index (CI) method and the isobologram analysis. Both methods showed a strong synergism (CI ~0.5; P<0.005) between DHA and taxanes in MDA-MB-231 cells. When the increase in taxanes efficacy was measured by dividing the IC50 values (50% inhibitory concentrations) obtained when the cells were exposed to taxanes alone by those after DHA pre-exposure, we found that DHA enhanced the cytotoxic activity of taxanes against MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner (up to 13- and 5-fold increase in Taxol and Taxotere efficacy, respectively). Importantly, sequential exposure to DHA followed by taxanes also yielded strong synergism in Her-2/neu (c-erbB-2)-overexpressing and taxanes-resistant SK-Br3 and BT-474 breast cancer cells. Moreover, exogenous supplementation with DHA significantly decreased the expression of Her-2/neu-codified p185Her-2/neu oncoprotein (up to 78% reduction in BT-474 cells). Our results provide experimental support to the hypothesis that [omega]-3 PUFAs can be used as modulators of tumor cell chemosensitivity and provide the rationale for in vivo preclinical investigation. In addition, this is the first study demonstrating that [omega]-3 PUFA DHA downregulates Her-2/neu oncogene expression in human breast cancer cells.

http://www.joplink.net/prev/200603/200603_17.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/en...&dopt=Abstract

Beckie · 06-08-2007, 08:18 AM

I really can't give advice. I was on herceptin from 6/06 to 12/06, and stopped because my toes got infected due to herceptin. I am now beginning navelbine. I just wanted to let you know I am praying for you both, and remind you God gives wisdom and strength one day at a time. God bless you both.

Beckie

Mary Jo · 06-08-2007, 08:39 AM

I cannot offer treatment advice but I can offer you my love and support. Cyber hugs I send along with a prayer for God's Peace to surround you both.

Love,

Mary Jo

tousled1 · 06-08-2007, 10:17 AM

I can not offer treatment advise but can offer my support. You are doing everything you can. I'm praying that the scans will reveal good results.

StephN · 06-08-2007, 11:08 AM

Hello Marie -I know it is a hard day when you are getting the test results.

Why did they also stop the Herceptin?? I would stay on that as it may be helping and will be synergistic with other drugs.

Taxotere was not a good drug for me either. I had it adjuvent and mets started soon after. However, TAXOL was a good drug for me in combination with Navelbine and Herceptin. Now there are many other new drugs and versions, such as Abraxane (a small molecule taxane).

I hate that these weeks are going by with no treatment. I think your hubby needs something sooner than late this month.

Just don't give up and push those appts up if you can.

Vanessa · 06-09-2007, 07:52 AM

I am sorry that I don't have much treatment advise either, but I will keep you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes.

Becky · 06-09-2007, 08:16 AM

As StephN suggested, Abraxane is a great choice and is synergistic with Herceptin which should not have been stopped. Although antioxidant supplements are frowned on during chemo, tumeric (curcumin) and fish oils are fine and both work with taxanes (of which Abraxane, Taxol and Taxotere are taxanes) and boost their efficiency as well as (in mouse studies) reduce resistance to taxanes as well.

Push those appts up and get your husband on Herceptin. Try to also get the Tamoxifen changed to Arimidex which I believe will be far more effective for your husband (as he can definitely be deemed postmenopausal

at this point as he was never premenopausal!!)

Adding Navelbine might also be appropriate too.

We are here for you Marie anytime.

Believe51 · 06-11-2007, 05:23 AM

Friday's appointment went well, (funny what I now consider well!!) and I just wanted to say he is still on Herceptin until we get into Dana Farber. Our doctor is making a rush appointment and then we will be seeing a local Oncologist on the 19th. His doctor does have a new recipe in store, Tykerb being part of it. The scans did show extensive bone mets, some which are healing. If he was to stop all treatment Hubby would have 6-12 months, of course he will continue treatment. To be honest girls JUNE 23 is my birthday and the best gift I could have is a peaceful evening with my Bopski, you see, even being here right now is something we never figured would happen in September 2006. We count our blessings each day, but we always did anyway. I thank you Friends for loving us, for responding when I cry and question, for the prayers and support. I know I could never do this alone and this site surely feels like home. Lots of love and prayers..>>Waiting For A Miracle..Believe51..(Marie G)