What drug combo will be next?

Janet Taylor · 07-06-2008, 06:29 PM

I did a year of herceptin following a metastatic breast cancer in my right lung(2006). Then a tumor was found in my left lung. I did 9 months of Tykerb and Xeloda (2007). Another tumor was found just outside my upper left lung (June 2008); my onc is studying the pathology report and trying to decide the next medicine to try.

Has anyone else gone back on herceptin after once being herceptin resistant? What other drug did they give you along with it?

hutchibk · 07-06-2008, 08:51 PM

Did you do Herceptin with Taxol? or by itself? I think the new wisdom is that your cancer doesn't always become Herceptin resistant (but can to Taxol/other chemos), and that it is valid to go back to Herceptin, potentially in combo with other chemos or with Tykerb.

Kim in DC · 07-07-2008, 05:05 AM

I've seen a lot of people do well with Navelbine and Herceptin for lung mets.

Kim

Janet Taylor · 07-07-2008, 05:29 AM

The year I did Herceptin, the only thing I was taking was Herceptin.

Is Navelbine given through an IV or is it an oral chemo?

chrisy · 07-07-2008, 09:01 AM

Navelbine is an IV chemo, and I also know of people who have done well with this + Herceptin for lung mets.

As for redoing Herceptin, that is very common to continue with Herceptin and just add a chemo because you can still get synergy by adding Herceptin.

Now that Tykerb is approved, I expect you could alternate herceptin and tykerb combinations as well as use them together (there are trials ongoing for this). The point is, continue to target the Her2 with something and boost it with chemo as needed.

Brenda's question is also important, if you have used a taxane, because these work well with Herceptin. But so does Navelbine.

Let us know what you decide.

schoonder · 07-07-2008, 12:51 PM

Janet, Genentech just about completed a 100+ patient Herceptin-DM1 trial, it was conducted at 40 some sites and recruited from MBC patients that had progressed on Herceptin. Company sounds very excited about results they seen so far. A new phase II is scheduled to start this month, an additional inclusion item is that candidates have been exposed to Tykerb and/or Xeloda.

Side effects from drug are minimal! Mention the trial to your oncologist.
Here's a link that will give you further information.

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/sh...erm=dm1&rank=3

runtolive · 07-08-2008, 08:33 AM

janet

try this link..

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/sh...MCC-DM1&rank=3

also .. this next link might be more appropriate .. its for patients who have previously failed tykerb/xeloda combo

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/sh...MCC-DM1&rank=1

you can also email michele fernandes at genentech to find the nearest location to you.. these trials are scheduled to open in july sometime and will be run worldwide..
roche is operating this trial in munich ,germany and other european cities for those across the pond...

run

doh2pa · 07-08-2008, 09:45 AM

Hi Janet,

Definitely give Navilbene with Herceptin or Tykerb some serious consideration. I had lung and liver mets, started Navilbene and Herceptin in January. I have since had to switch due to liver progression, but I haven't seen hide nor hair of those lung mets for the past 7 months since Navilbene wiped them off the face of the CAT scan. It's also a relatively easy combo to tolerate.

Good luck to you!

Janet Taylor · 07-08-2008, 12:04 PM

Thanks to all of you for the information. I am encouraged! I see the Onc. on July 15 so I will keep you posted!

Janet Taylor · 07-15-2008, 03:11 PM

Here is the plan....I am going back on weekly Herceptin IV infusions as well as a Faslodex shot every 4 weeks to continue fighting the estrogen that feeds my cancer cells. Does anyone have any Faslodex experience?