Blood-Brain Barrier and Herceptin

[julierene]

I hear a lot about the blood/brain barrier, does Herceptin work on brain mets?

If not, what DOES work on brain mets?

[Joe]

There is little evidence that Herceptin crosses the blood brain barrier. Dr. Eric Winer of Dana Farber in Boston is conducting clinical trials of Tykerb (Lapatinib) as it is a smaller molecule and there is evidence that it crosses the BBB.

Regards
Joe

[Lolly]

There is research being conducted on other agents that will "loosen" up the blood brain barrier, allowing larger molecules access. I posted an article in the Articles of Interest section on a study of a party drug that can be harmful to the brain, but interestingly enough also has this effect on the brain of allowing larger molecules to pass through...

But, as they say, DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME :)

<3 Lolly