ca.2729 big jump

Pam P · 07-14-2011, 11:42 AM

Not good news for me today at chemo. Got the ca.2729 results from last week. 3800! up over 1000 pts from 3 weeks ago at 2800. When I started Halaven in April it was 8000 and the big drop was great. But now? I know my onc will want it checked a 2nd time in 3 weeks & if up still order a scan. Damn - I'd really hoped for a nice long time with halaven - doesn't seem to hopeful now.

I'm running out of chemos I haven't tried.

peace, Pam

Shobha · 07-14-2011, 12:33 PM

Pam.

Sorry to hear your news. Praying hard that you find the right combination to put you back on the path of recovery!

hugs,
shobha

ElaineM · 07-14-2011, 03:26 PM

Oh darn it Pam !!!!!!! I am so sorry to hear about your tumor markers. Let's hope it is because there are a lot of DEAD cancer cells floating around and not because there are more live ones.
Maybe your doctor can try whichever was the most successful treatment for you again or use some of the od chemos in new combinations.
I have fingers crossed for you. Take good care of yourself.

Laurel · 07-14-2011, 06:31 PM

Dang. Still hoping for another explanation and that you get that long run you were hoping for! You deserve it.

Dianedack · 07-14-2011, 09:05 PM

Hi Pam

So sorry to hear your news. It could be lots of dead cells floating about so see what happens with the next test.

I will pray that you find a treatment that works for you very soon. You are always in my thoughts.

Love

Diane
XX

Trish · 07-15-2011, 12:30 AM

Hope the jump is a blip. Seems you have tried most chemos (?xempara). Any chance of trying ones again that were successful in the past?
Hoping very hard things will be better for you.
Trish

Pam P · 07-15-2011, 04:37 AM

Thank you everyone for your support. I don't think the huge jump is due to dead cancer cells floating around. I think that initial rise only happens in the beginning to getting a new drug. Although I wish it was the case now. I haven't tried ixempra and am scared of it - I hear it's awful - really hard to you energy U all & I still so depleted. I have tried chemos I've been on a 2nd time either they don't work or only for a very short time. I'm praying for a better explanation to these tm's but can't come up with a logical one. I see the onc. the end of the month. Meanwhile my legs are still not really strong and they ache a lot. My left leg ecpecially is weaker & visibly smaller than the right. I get weired sensations in the top of femur and some skin numness of top too - not in back. Sounds like nerves to me. Told onc. adn he said monitor it at point. I wonder it the tm rise is pointing to some big cancer activity in femur. Thankfullly I already have that rod in place.

Trish · 07-16-2011, 01:48 AM

Sorry to hear all that. For what is worth you have my very warmest wishes. You are a great role model to me. Thanks for keeping us posted.
Trish

Jackie07 · 07-16-2011, 06:45 AM

Hang in there, Pam, help (prayers) is on the way!

BonnieR · 07-16-2011, 10:46 AM

Oh, Pam, I just wanted to send my love and support. I always say Keep the Faith although I know it must be hard to do sometimes. But it what keeps us going. Faith and chemistry.

ammebarb · 07-16-2011, 11:34 AM

Thinking of you Pam.

Barb A.

Jackie07 · 07-16-2011, 03:01 PM

Hopefully Pertuzumab will be approved soon:

Pertuzumab
Pertuzumab (OmnitargTM; Genentech/Roche, South San Francisco, CA) is a humanised monoclonal antibody that targets the extracellular domain of HER-2. However, the structure and function analysis demonstrated that pertuzumab binds to a quite distinct site of the HER-2 extracellular part from that of trastuzumab and is considered to serve as a HERs dimerisation inhibitor [23]. Receptor dimerisation can occur between two different EGFR family members (heterodimerisation) or between two symmetric EGFR receptors (homodimerisation). The intercellular tyrosine kinase of one receptor can only be phosphorylated and activated through dimerisation. This mechanism is quite important for HER-2/HER-3 dimers as the HER-3 receptor which lacked active tyrosine kinase domain and disabled to form the homodimers. Different investigations suggested that HER-2/HER-3 can act as an oncogenic unit, which initiates activation of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway to enhance tumour progression [24]. Pertuzumab is designed to bind to the junction part of HER-2 extracellular domain and thereby ultimately block the formation of HER-2 related homo- and hetero-dimerisation as well as their downstream signal transduction. The good tolerance and antitumour activity of pertuzumab has been identified in several completed phase I and phase II studies [25]. Pertuzumab showed a compensating anti-HER-2 efficacy after use in trastuzumab refractory metastatic breast cancer patients, which meant that it could partially reverse trastuzumab resistance [26]. A recently published phase II trial reported a 24.2% objective response rate and 50% clinical benefit rate in the regimen consisting of pertuzumab plus trastuzumab in advanced breast cancer patients with HER-2 overexpression and patients whose disease progresses aftertrastuzumab-based therapy. The promising results strongly demonstrate a synergistic efficacy of the two combined antibodies [27]. Two randomised phase III studies with pertuzumab that can increase knowledge of it are currently ongoing. The CLinical Evaluation of PErtuzumab and TRAstuzumab, sponsored by a Genentech (CLEOPATRA) study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of docetaxel plus trastuzumab with or without the combination of pertuzumab in previously untreated breast cancer patients. The neoadjuvant treatment with herceptin and pertuzumab, sponsored by a Hoffmann-LaRoche (NEOSPHERE) study recruits patients with locally advanced, inflammatory, or early-stage HER-2 positive breast cancer to evaluate the complete pathological response rate of the combination of trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and docetaxel. The first clinical data shows that pertuzumab and trastuzumab plus docetaxel given in a neoadjuvant setting prior to surgery significantly improved the pathological complete response rate as compared with trastuzumab plus docetaxel (San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, SABCS 2010).

tricia keegan · 07-16-2011, 03:07 PM

Sorry to read this Pam and hope your onc has more tx''s in line for you!!

xx

Lori R · 07-17-2011, 06:59 AM

Pam,
I am sorry to hear that this cancer thing continues to be such a challenge!! You are one of the strongest women I know, so I am sure there is a silver bullet out there for you.

After rereading your history, I didn't see TDM-1 in the list. Refresh my memory....why wasn't this an option? Also, I recently read some posts about other interesting trials. Could you participate in a trial with some late breaking drugs??

It could be a party here in Denver, as Brenda flys in for TDM-1. Emelie and I would love to see you here.

Thank you for keeping us posted....love your fighting spirit....Lori

Catherine · 07-19-2011, 10:31 PM

Dear Pam,

So sorry to hear about the high TM's. I am guessing you are in the middle of the Minneapolis heat wave on top of dealing with these high numbers. Hoping and praying for some help and answers to come your way. Thinking of you and want you to know how much I care.

Hugs, Catherine

mmoons · 07-21-2011, 06:53 PM

Oh Pam...I am so sorry. I wish you could see your Onc TODAY. I, like you and everyone on this board, is so impatient to get the right chemo going so you can dance with NED for the next 40 years.

I am sending you continued love and support and healing wish, my brave friend.

Love,
Maureen

Soccermom · 08-02-2011, 09:47 PM

Thinking of you ((((Pam))))!
Marcia

Pray · 08-02-2011, 11:09 PM

Pam, I am in awe of what an unbelievable fighter you are! I want to be just like you! I am keeping you in my prayers. Gods blessings to you and your family

ElaineM · 08-03-2011, 10:17 AM

I read something about Pertuzumab being successful with Herceptin and or Tykerb recently. I also heard the drug company is planning to apply for approval with the FDA for Pertuzumab very soon. it sounds like it might be approved before T DM1. I was also reading about Sagopilone with Imatinab for bone mets. You might want to talk to your doctor about those options. Also like the others mentioned can you apply for T DM1? I don't remember. Have you tried a Tykerb combination? I hope you don't mind, but I just thought I would give you some suggestions to think about and perhaps discuss with your doctor.
All the best to you Pam. You have a big cheering section of friends behind you. Count me in your cheering section !!!!!!!! Thinking of you and wishing good things for you.

Pam P · 08-03-2011, 06:13 PM

My tm went up another 1000 pts since I wrote this post. I tell about that on another thread - doctor update. I have had 3 tx of radiation now to my left femur. Still on Halaven until radiation is done. Will have brain MRI & pet/ct scan on 8/15 & see the onc. again on 8/18. It will be a stressful week anticipating results and chemo options.

Many of you have asked about tdm-1 for me. There's nothing offered locally and there is no way I can afford plane/hotel to travel for treatment out of state.

The other drugs you mentioned - like pertuzamaub - I don't know if I'd qualify for trial. I will ask to have the research nurse check out if I qualify for any current studies here. I hear lots of talk about the targeted therapies coming soon - how soon is soon? Seems like soon is still years away!

Yes I have already been on tykerb twice. I do appreciate all of your suggestions and I will talk with onc. about them. Thank you.