Late Herceptin early stage and concern for later Herceptin resistence

[RobinP]

The issue of later Herceptin resistance has been discussed on these boards as a rationale of why some oncol. are refusing late Herceptin for early st. breast cancer. My local oncol. has also raised these concerns with me in the past.

Currently, all newly diagnosed her2+ patients are receiving Herceptin. This group of early stage her2+ patients will be given Herceptin for 1-2 years. If a relapse were to occur with them later, would they be resistant to Herceptin, having been already exposed? If Herceptin is targeted anti monoclonal therapy, it seems unlikely. However, do we have any examples from the metastatic population to extrapolate from? Has anyone in that population experienced Herceptin resistance from prior exposure? Thanks for the input in advance.



Fondly,
Robin