Herceptin studies

[Bonnie T]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone knew of any studies to show if there are less cardiac effects if you take a lower dose herceptin weekly, vs a stronger dose every 3 weeks ???
THANKS
Bonnie T

[Becky]

There aren't any studies to the best of my knowledge. When the May results came out and I went to get my Herceptin, my onc out of Fox Chase did not make it very clear on whether he would give me Herceptin (and then went on vacation for almost 2 weeks). Fox Chase recommends the weekly but I went to my second opinion onc at Sloan and they give it every 3 weeks. I asked the Sloan onco this same question (cardiac problems 1 wk versus 3 wk) and she said that there was no difference. It is hard to know the results because the 3 week protocol via the Hera trial uses Herceptin alone (sequentially after chemo is done and the patient is further out from the adriamycin - I think the cardiac results are better in Hera than the concurrent where the first 12 doses are combined with the taxol - but it could be the chemo combo that impacts the weekly results and that is implied).

Hope this helps

Becky