Confused about Herceptin

[Annemarie]

I read that a lot of woman on this forum seem to be in a trial with active mets. Does anyone not have active mets (NED) and on Herceptin? I go for a second opinion in late July.

[Bonnie]

I'm in a trial that gave carboplatin, taxotere and Herceptin. I've now completed the carbo/taxotere and continue on with Herceptin until 1/05. I have one more radiation treatment tomorrow. I was dx 12/03 at 2A and am considered NED now.

[Barbara]

I am Stage II diagnosed January 2004 with breast cancer and I am on Herceptin off protocol. I first completed the normal dose dense chemo of four A/C and four Taxol treatments.

[Vicki Z]

I am Stage 1, T1N0, her2 3+ and had 5 cycles of FAC and then was switched this past June to 16 weekly cycles of herceptin, taxol and carboplatin. So there are some of us who are taking herceptin at an early stage. This is off protocol.

Hope this helps.

Vicki

[Kitty]

Vicki,

That's a pretty aggressive treatment schedule for stage 1 bc. Why so aggressive for such an early stage?

[Vicki Z]

My med.-onc. said that some of the findings mentioned at the ASCO conference were moving in the direction, offering it to earlier stage patients. So, I was guided by those clinical trials and her comments to do it as added insurance. I do know that Meg, who posts occasionally, had a very similar diagnosis as me (same size tumor, no nodes involved) and she is on the same three drugs, but is in a clinical trial. I believe she's in the midwest, (I'm in Calif.). Yes, it may seem a bit aggressive, but from what I've heard others say, it's something I'm grateful to do.

[Rozebud]

Was dx'd in January with IIIC (11+ nodes). On an early stage herceptin trial too - although it doesn't feel like "early stage"! :)

[Kitty]

That's very interesting.....I realize more people are getting the herceptin earlier on and I understand they have found that weekly taxol is much more effective than every 3 weeks, but am surprised they are adding carboplatin or cisplatin at this early stage since they are a tougher chemo (cisplatin can cause deafness, nerve damage and both are tough on the kidneys). The weekly taxol/carboplatin/herceptin certainly made me NED after recurrence with liver mets so I am a believer in that regimen. You know Dr. Slamon believed in the platinum based chemos with Herceptin ....Barbara Bradfield had cisplatin with herceptin in the very first clinical trials of herceptin. She is doing well 10 years later with no recurrence since clinical trial. By the way was was the F in your FAC treatments?
Kitty

[kim]

I was diagnosed in Aug 2003, stage 2. I am receiving herceptin off protocol.

[Terry]

Yes AnneMarie, I have not been diagnosed with mets and have just completed the herceptin on trial. Was diagnosed Stage 2B in September 2002, went on AC, 12 weekly Taxol, radiation, and 52 treatments of Herceptin. I completed all treatments last month and so far so good. Also had my mammogram yesterday. It felt like a long haul during the 16 months of treatments, but have no doubts it was worth the efforts.

I wanted to attack it aggressively and the best way I could from the onset.

[Vicki Z]

Hi Kitty,

The F stands for 5FU, and that's all I know. I don't have the exact scientific chemical name, but have seen it in print in various breast cancer publications.

[Kitty]

OK - I recognize 5FU...I don't see that used very often...everyone seems to favor AC or ACT first time out. Thanks.
Kitty

[Christine-Australia]

I had FEC first time out. 5FU, Epirubicin and Cyclo- 8 treatments over 6 months. I had three nodes involved and 2.3cm tumor. I wish I could get Herceptin butas randomised to observation arm.
Christine