Using old treatments - Again

julierene · 01-12-2009, 02:46 PM

I am apprehensive about my oncologist's attempt to re-use an old treatment. I am thankful for the speed that it worked the first time, but I just am so worried about how ineffective the other treatments have been. Has anyone been re-treated with a combo that did wonders, and have it do wonders again?

jones7676 · 02-10-2009, 04:20 AM

I have not had a treatment "reused" but cannot help but wonder on some that have worked well for me for quite a while. I was wondering how you are doing as I'm quite challenged right now.

I would really appreciate a reply or an email on whether or not you are doing that and how it is working.

eric · 02-10-2009, 05:53 AM

Julie,

How long ago were you on it the first time? Studies have shown that you can go back to the well if it's been more than, I believe 2 years (might be 1 year...my memory stinks these days). Caryn went to NED on Gemzar/Herceptin and I'm planning on pushing for that when the time is right. I pray that this revisit brings back the magic for you. Please keep us informed.

Eric

julierene · 02-10-2009, 06:59 AM

For the first time in 4 months, the scans were finally better. The liver looked significantly better after only one month of this "old" treatment. The only thing they changed was they switched Taxol to Abraxane. There isn't too much difference in that, but it seems to be helping. The bone mets were stable, the liver looked better, and the CA 27/29 was a few points lower. It was only decreased from 132 to like 129... but I hope month 2 will be better. I was just surprised that the liver finally looked better. I had been off Herceptin for a while, so I wasn't willing to give up on it. I was more willing to think that the Navelbine wasn't working. I did feel like I had exhausted the efficacy of Tykerb - at least for a few years.

It was Dec 05 when I first did the Carboplatin/Herceptin/Taxol. It made everything disappear within 3 months. I don't know if that will happen this time, but I am sure hoping so! If not, we will be switching to Avastin + something. I have great hopes for Avastin. Anyway, it gets scary getting down to the point where the oncologist is telling you to look for trials and the drugs are limited.

Julie

schoolteacher · 02-10-2009, 07:34 AM

Julie,

I am glad your scans were better. I hope your next scans show you NED again. Please keep us updated.

God Bless You.

Amelia

chrisy · 02-11-2009, 07:37 AM

Julie,
Re-using an old chemo is sometimes a very valid approach. In your case, the T/C/H did not fail; you mainly have had progression while on the her2 targeted agents ALONE. So adding back chemo that worked so well before is a good option. Seems that you are starting to see good results as well.

Thanks for keeping us posted.

Rich66 · 02-11-2009, 11:08 AM

Just a thought..
Seems like info keeps coming out about the evolution of tumors and how adding or withdrawing certain agents for various time periods can resensitize tumors to certain agents. I sometimes wonder if a constantly rotating series of chemos could keep the tumor from having enough time to develop resistance. You know..instead of continuous left jabs, ultimate fighting. Ok..goofy analogy.
Have you investigated directed liver therapies like SIR spheres, LC beads, intra arterial chemo or :

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=37938

julierene · 02-11-2009, 06:33 PM

I think that's what they used to do in the old days, and it was too toxic for people, and still the tumors would grow resistant. Let me know if I am wrong on that. Julie

Joy · 02-12-2009, 09:12 AM

and happy to see the responses. My onc had also said after two years it is worth a try. I feel like we are so alike in these things. I am currantly on Epirubicin (basically adriamycin)/Cytoxan/Herceptin and have wondered and wondered if this can really work. I was on A/C 8 years ago, so I know this time frame could make a difference. I try to look at it on the occassionaly positive days as a starting over fresh, but with more information than we had when I was stage I and we were just doing protocol and did not know I was her2 positive.

I am thrilled with your scan results amd hope they offere a sense of relief and encouragement. Keep up the good work beautiful and thank you for invoking the responses. And thanks to all the responders as well.