Question for a friend

PinkGirl · 05-30-2009, 07:39 PM

Is it possible to be Her2 negative and then have mets that are
Her2 positive?

Ceesun · 05-30-2009, 08:41 PM

Not sure, Pink-but I know it can go the other way. Ceese

Becky · 05-31-2009, 05:56 PM

Yes. It is absolutely true that this can happen. Same with being positive but mets are negative and the same holds true for hormone receptors too (going from negative to positive or vice versa). A small study showed this happened 1/3 of the time but it was a small study of (I think) 20 women (it may have been 12 women as that number sticks in my mind too). To know the real %, a large study has to be employed. However, it happened in this study so it happens.

Debbie L. · 06-01-2009, 08:44 AM

Longer answer:

HER2, if it changes, is more likely to go from negative to positive.

ERPR, if it changes, is more likely to go from positive to negative.

It is not always possible to biopsy mets to confirm, though.

Debbie Laxague

PinkGirl · 06-02-2009, 04:01 PM

Thanks for your replies. I have passed the info on to my friend.
She is hoping that her lung mets are Her2+++ and can benefit
from Herceptin. She has been battling this for 15 years and is
not able to have any more chemo.