A question about what can be taken with Tykerb.

[Beckie]

I have been doing well on Tykerb/Xeloda for 18 months, but then had to change to Navelbine and Herceptin when my lung mets started growing. I was off Tykerb for 4 months and my MRI showed 2 small (3, and 4 mm.) lesions in the cerebellum (already taken care of). The MRI before I went off Tykerb was clean. I want back on Tykerb, but my oncologist says he likes me on Navelbine. We have agreed on 3 weeks for research and of course, you all are the best source I know! What have you taken with Tykerb to control other mets? Do you think Tykerb protects your brain as much as I do? Thanks for any information you can give me.

God bless you all!

Beckie

[Julie2]

Beckie,

I am taking Herceptin and Tykerb. Looks like it is working for me.

Julie

[hutchibk]

I was on Tykerb/Xeloda for 18 months and it worked fantastic for me, knocking back my brain mets with a complete response, allowing me to put off having brain rads for those 18 months. Once we saw a little activity, I had IMRT on my 5 brain spots. We switched me to Tykerb/Herceptin after that (7 months ago, so I have been on Tykerb for 25 months) and I am still enjoying clear brain MRIs... the only met that we've seen in the torso is a bone met on (pelvic) illiac wing bone, and it has remained stable with no progression for 20 months, so both Ty/Xel and Ty/Herc have been keeping the extra-cranial mets in check. I plan on enjoying this combo for as long as possible! I love Tykerb.

One thing to consider is this regarding Tykerb and effectiveness that we learned at SABCS in December. It appears that down-regulation (low expression) of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) predicts a good response to lapatinib (Tykerb). On the converse, a low expression of PTEN and PI3Ks predicts resistance to trastuzamab (Herceptin).

[donalddonald]

Hi Beckie:
My wife is having Vinorelbine injection with long term Tykerb, basically Vinorelbine is the same with Navelbine. For the first 3 injection, it bring down the tumor markers, and this week she will have a MRI to check on the little spot on her lung!
Just for your reference and hope this help you.
Donald.