My Onc wants to stretch out Herceptin infusions

[Jocanuck]

Hi, my onc suggested I go from every 3 weeks to every 4 weeks infusion. I'm Stage 4, liver mets, out the gate since Dec/2012, no visible evidence of disease so far xx but I'm worried if I stretch it out that extra week the buggers might nest again...anybody on 4 weeks H infusions? Has there been studies done on this?

[Juls]

Hi Jocanuck

I have been wondering if going longer between herceptin infusions was possible!

I know that Dr Slamon talks about coming off herceptin after about 3 years if all good - although most patients when asked were happier with 4 years. So I wonder about the possibility of stretching out from 3 to 4 weeks or more! Have not seen any info on this though!

Would love to think it was an option.
I'm not sure if I would be suitable now as I had bone met appear last year (which has responded well to zometa etc) after 2 1/2 years of ned.

Hope someone has some info!
Regards
Juls






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[Jocanuck]

Hi Juls! That bone met sucks! If they radiated it would that put you back to zero?

I've just recently heard of a stg4 having a 9 month break from Perjeta and Herceptin.... she is 3 years out....that makes me really happy stressed? Lol

I'm hoping someone has read a study regarding stretching it out...

Can we really be in "remission"? I keep thinking "just waiting for the other shoe to drop" dreading chemo...never considered that R word!

[Juls]

Hi Jocanuck
Not sure if it would. Radiation has never been mentioned but bone met now sclerotic so all they say is "it has responded as expected to treatment!"
I'm in UK and find that the best stage 4 get here is "stable". Which I'm happy to take!!
It will be interesting to see if anyone has info on reduced treatments.
I did ask last year when my scans were excellent if less treatments were possible but the answer from my Oncologist was "don't know".
Juls

[Hopeful]

Here is a link to an abstract about the clinical pharmacology of Herceptin: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18690878

It states the half-life of Herceptin as 28 days. The half-life of a substance is the period of time required for the concentration or amount of drug in the body to be reduced by one-half.

So, at 21 day intervals, you are maintaining a somewhat higher overall concentration of Herceptin in the body than at 28 day intervals. Neither is long enough for the drug to be completely out of the body.

Hope this is helpful.

Hopeful

[Jocanuck]

Hi Hopeful, thank you very much for the link. Answered my question! I'm due for ct scans mid June and if ok I'll probably switch to every 4 weeks. I'll let everybody know! Thanks! Joanne

[Juls]

Hopeful - Thanks for link. Good to know!
Jocanuck - Sounds good. Let us know how you get on!
Regards Juls