Becky, What does this mean?

[Marlys]

I received this from Therapeutics Weekly and am wondering what the meaning is:

Research from University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Provide New Insights Into Breast Cancer Therapy
Cancer Weekly - Mar. 13, 2007
Researchers detail in "Lapatinib induces apoptosis in trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells: effects on insulin-like growth factor I signaling," new data in breast cancer. According to a study from the United States, "The majority of breast cancer patients who achieve an initial therapeutic response to the HER2-targeted antibody trastuzumab will show disease progression within 1 year. Thus, the identification of novel agents that effectively inhibit survival of cancer cells that have progressed on trastuzumab is critical." <O:p"In the current study, we show that the dual epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/human EGFR-2 (HER2) kinase inhibitor lapatinib induces apoptosis in trastuzumab-resistant cells derived from the HER2-overexpressing SKBR3 breast cancer line. Lapatinib inhibited EGFR and HER2 signaling in resistant cells, blocking activation of downstream Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and S6 kinases and inducing expression of p27kip1. Importantly, lapatinib also inhibited insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) signaling and growth-promoting effects in parental and resistant cells, and the cytotoxic effects of lapatinib were further enhanced by the IGF-I receptor-blocking antibody alphaIR3," wrote R. Nahta and colleagues, University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. <O:pThe researchers concluded: "As increased IGF-I receptor signaling has been implicated in trastuzumab resistance, our data strongly support further study of lapatinib as a potential therapeutic in breast cancers that have progressed on trastuzumab."Nahta and colleagues published the results of their research in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (Lapatinib induces apoptosis in trastuzumab-resistant breast cancer cells: effects on insulin-like growth factor I signaling. <O:p

[betlen5]

I was told that Herceptin will only last about 9 months after taken with Taxol. 9 months later it has returned? Why don't they tell you this information before receiving the treatment?

[Barbara2]

The sentence that you highlighted in red, is one that I also have highlighted (from the "volumes" of information that I make copies of) from an article with the same quote, some time ago. I wondered what that meant, too. Is this statement referring to metestatic breast cancer?

[Jean]

is out of town on business and will return at end of week.
She does not have access to computer.

Jean

[Hopeful]

Maryls,

Here is a link to a recent article which states that Herceptin is cost effective, given the improved survival time of patients: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/553595

Here is a pertinent excerpt:

The 2 studies differed in 2 key areas — the duration of trastuzumab's benefitand the annual risk for systemic recurrence. In the study led by Nicola Lucio Liberato, MD, from the Azienda Ospedaliera della Provincia di Pavia, Ospedale Civile, Italy, they assumed that the benefit of trastuzumab would persistonly for 5 years — a notion that is well supported by the Early Breast CancerTrialists' Meta-Analysis.

In contrast, in the study led by Allison Kurian, MD, from the Veterans' Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System and Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research at Stanford University, in California, they assumed a one-third decline in benefit in years 3 to 5 andan additional but persistent benefit from years 6 to 10. In their editorial, Drs. Hillner and Smith call these numbers "excessively optimistic." The reports also differed slightlyin the risk for systemic recurrences beyond 5 years, but thishad little impact on the results.

Hope this information is useful.

Hopeful

[Marlys]

I guess if I had stopped to really think this out I would have realized that it probably is not referring to those of us who were stage 1 who received Herceptin after the 2005 ASCO released the news about the trials. Mainly because no one is following up on us as if we were in a trial. I will continue with my head in the clouds and my ears to the ground until my body tells me otherwise. Hopeful, thanks for your input. I subscribe to Medscape for Nurses as I am one(old & retired but they don't care.)
Love & hugs,
Marlys

[rinaina]

That underlined red sentence can make you crazy. According to that, her2 people are doomed no matter the herceptin. Can't believe that.

[jessica]

"Disease progression" is NOT synonymous w "DEATH SENTENCE"
Many of us here have beat back disease that has "progressed" multiple times, and lived to tell about it!
Thank God for Tykerb & all the other great drugs on the horizon to keep us surviving & THRIVING!

Keep the Faith~

[heblaj01]

The second half of the abstract posted by Marlys opens the hopefull possibility that Tykerb may not only begin to work where Herceptin stops but that it may prevent one of the ways cancer cells become resistant to Herceptin.
One area that is not clear from reading this abtract is wether or not overcoming this resistance to Herceptin can be achieved after it has occured. If that were to be so it would mean that Herceptin treatment should not be stopped after the addition of Tykerb.
This article adds support to the very optimistic comments made by two oncs (involved in the preclinical & phase 2 trial of Tykerb+Herceptin) in an interview in december 2006 about the early observations on the combo efficacy.(http://www.breastcancerupdate.com/download-audio/bcu/2006/8/BCU8_06_Chang/17_BCU8_06_Chang.mp3)

[Becky]

This article refers to the metastatic (stage 4) condition and is not in reference to using Herceptin as an adjuvant in early breast cancer. Also in the Stage 4 condition, 9 months to progression is an average of many clinical studies and is not necessarily true to life as Herceptin is always combined with chemo and if the first chemo drug doesn't work then another is tried etc etc and usually, one of the drugs works quite well.

Hope this helps

[Marlys]

Becky, Thank you so much for your reply. After thinking about it a while I sort of figured that out. I sure wasn't going to let it disturb me too much because I think I'm doing great.
Love & hugs,
Marlys