success with abraxane after taxol?

Pam P · 02-05-2009, 05:41 AM

I've been on taxol/avastin for 9 months. My ca2729 continues to rise (322 is latest). Scans don't show change. My onc. said my choices are abraxane, gemzar, ixempra. He was leaning to abraxane and will add herceptin or tykerb instead of the avastin.

I will be happy to get off the avastin because of the b/p and other side effects for me. I see the cardiologist on Fri. and will have an echo. If my lvef is high enough I think my onc. will choose herceptin. But I think the tykerb because it passes the blood brain barrier - is there a better reason to go with herceptin? My onc. likes it because there's more data on it.

Has anyone done abraxane following taxol? I know it's in the same family... so that that mean it might not be as effective as a different chemo? I don't see the the onc. until 2/18 to make a decision.

I had a treatment scheduled yesterday. But I woke up so sick - achy, chills, headache, the whole deal. I didn't feel like trying to get up so I cancelled! I've gone many times before not feeling well with a cold. First time in over 7 yrs I've done that - sort of feel guilty. I think only 1 other time did I not get chemo as my counts were too low.

Sheila · 02-05-2009, 05:59 AM

Pam
Since we have been pretty much on the same treatments, I would try adding Herceptin with the Taxol, or add the Herceptin and switch from a Taxane to something else, like Ixempra or Gemzar....it seems the cancer cells get smart real quick, so you need a new defense. Just my opinion....I am always looking at whats next for me!

Pam P · 02-05-2009, 06:12 AM

Sheila - Thanks for responding. Are you still on taxol/herceptin?: That's bee a long run. I'm wondering if it's better to do something else than a taxane & hold abraxane for later... or will abraxane work well too since taxol did? Also what's you opiniion on herceptin/tykerb? I've been on both - & I don't know which one or either have done me most good. Thanks.

jml · 02-05-2009, 07:36 AM

Hi Pam~
Taxol + Herceptin was always very effective for me, but I did switch to Abraxane+Herceptin on one occassion when a stubborn liver met recurred.
Unfortunately, A+H didn't work for me, (it could have been b/c the pharmacy had been mistakenly combining the wrong dose of Herceptin w/the Abraxane - I was being given a q3week dose of Abraxane + q1week dose of Herceptin- since the drugs are synergistic, the misdosing could have compromised the efficacy. I was pretty pissed off to find this out after 9 weeks of treatment & losing my hair again!)
So I switched back to Taxol + Herceptin, added Carbo & I was NED again.
I've since had 2 supraclav node recurrences, and each time Gemzer+Herceptin did the charm.
Hope you & your docs can find the right combo for you.
I agree w/Sheila - maybe it's time to bring Herceptin back in the mix?
Hang in there & Keep the Faith~

Sheila · 02-05-2009, 07:54 AM

Pam
Yes, I am still on Herceptin and Taxol. every other week. Although i never seem to reach NED, I am stable as long as I stay on this combo. When I missed 3 Taxol treatments due to pneumonia, the nodes in my neck popped right back up....they are shrinking again since Taxol is back on. I have had 3 I have never tried Tykerb, been on Herceptin almost 5 1/2 years...I am still in favor of switching up the mix and adding back in Herceptin, have you ever had Ixempra or Gemzar? Either would be a good "new" agent.

WomanofSteel · 02-05-2009, 08:06 AM

Sheila, I am on the same treatment as you and have the same neck node problem. When I went off for a month for scans and such my neck nodes just popped right back up. I am anxious to see what happens when I get my next round of scans. Pam, since I have not been on any other treatments except hki-272 I don't have much experience to offer, but like Sheila I think the herceptin-taxol combo is keeping me stable.