Need advice about upcoming drug trial

[7andcounting]

Hi,

Please excuse my jumbled thoughts, but I am in a decision phase and having a hard time getting my thoughts straight. Any help you can give would be so appreciated.

I'm stage 4 and starting on a new drug trial this week --unless someone tells me there is another option. The trial will be Herceptin, Navelbine and a pill you take 1x daily. The pill will either be a placebo OR TDM-1.

Has anyone been on a similair drug regimine?

I feel torn. If I could be garunteed the TDM-1 pill arm of this trial, I would feel better.

Or better yet, if I could just get TDM-1 and not have to take it with anything. I'm in Oregon and seems the closest place to get just TDM-1 is Highland, CA.

Could it be that this drug trial is actually a blessing and I'm just not realizing it? (trial avaliable through my current onc.)I've been on Tykerb, Herceptin and Zometa for the past year, and I'm not convinced it helped. I already feel very tired and worn out and I am concerned about the addition of Navelbine making my life a lot harder.

I'd apreciate anyone with any experience with this giving me their insight.

Thank you!

[chrisy]

Without knowing your treatment history, here are some thoughts. And of course I'm not a doctor so not qualified to recommend anything, so I'm responding based on what I would consider doing myself

First, as far as I know, TDM-1 is only available as an infused drug - are you sure about the description of this study? Maybe you could post the trial #, or recheck what it is.

It looks more like the BOLERO trial which is Herceptin/Navelbine and Everolimus (Affinitor), the latter being an agent that targets the MTOR pathway. That is a trial I would personally consider (coming off TDM1 and in decision mode myself right now!).

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/N...rceptin&rank=4


I haven't had Navelbine (yet!) but know many women who have done very well on it - both efficacy and tolerability. If you are feeling that the Tykerb/Herceptin hasn't quite been able to keep things under control, maybe it is time to try a stronger option. Herceptin/Navelbine is a good combo, even without the everolimus.

TDM1 is a great drug - it drove me to NED and kept me there for 3 years. I think that would also be a good option and should be in your arsenal - if not now, then for later. As I think you know (from your other post), Genentech is working on a protocol change for the EAP which would allow patients in an EAP trial, after they get started, to get some treatments at home. Getting this protocol amendment through and approved will probably take a bit of time. Keep in mind, if you are fatigued, TDM1 is a slightly tougher road than vanilla herceptin - and particularly so if you have to travel to get it.

Interesting how the options present...and how doors and windows open and close without us knowing why, for us, they are doing that at just that specific time.

Sounds like you have good options, and you will make the right choice for you, whatever that is.

[mamacze]

Are you a new stage 4? It is hard to know what to suggest without knowing your treatment history...you are in Oregon? Any chance you are with Dr. Devon (who was formerly with Dr. Disis in Seattle?)
I started out with Herceptin and Navelbine as my adjuvent therapy when newly diagnosed stage 4 and had a whomping good result...have been NED for 7 1/2 years since. Please stay with us and keep us posted on how you are doing.
Love Kim from CT