Hello Ladies,

Just back from my 3rd Navelbine/Herceptin infusion at UofM. We discussed the attached news article with my Onc. My Doctor is Ann Schott, she is on the team with the Dr. Hayes mentioned in the article.

They said that this blood test should be available at UofM (hopefully the same at other facilities) within 6 months to a year. I think that it is a wonderful step forward, instead of waiting to see or not see disease progression, through either tumor markers or other scans...in one months time after trying a new round of chemo this simple blood test will be able to detect the number of CANCER cells in your blood.

Lower number means the current chemo is working, high numbers says give this chemo up and move to the the next one. I will be bugging my doctors within the next 4 months as to when this test is available! God Bless all of us BC Survivors out there!

Hugs,
Cindi.

Profile:

Diagnosed 4/2002, left mastectomy, lymph node dissection
Stage 2A, 1/11 node pos, ER-/PR-, HER2+++
Tx – AC, then weekly Taxol. Then 52 weeks of Herceptin through trial.
5/24/04 – Locoregional Recurrence to axillary lymphs . A total of 2 nodes
found under arm.
CT, Bone scans showed no other areas involved. PET scan showed 2 other nodes in
Third level of axillary nodes, again no other areas involved.
7/13 – Surgery at UofM to remove 2 other nodes.
8/5 – began Navelbine/Herceptin treatment…3 weeks on / 1 week off for 4 months.
Doc said that at least 1 year of monthly Herceptin will follow.

This test is currently available. If interested print out the link and give it to your oncologist.

Warmest Regards
Joe

My question is can a chemo combo, especially one with Herceptin, actually be given a "yea/nay" after only 1 month, or 2 injections?

Love and light,

Lisa

Joe,

Thanks for printing out the link on the article (I really meant to do that...just forgot).

Lisa,

I agree it does sound like "maybe to good to be true", but if it's true....how fantastic! I pray that it is. Love and Light to you. You are truly an inspiration to many of us on this board.

Cindi.

After reading the article, seems that they are just beginning to refine how this test can be used. The senior study author states that they have more work to do: "we are planning further studies to precisely define the role of monitoring CTCs in women with metastatic disease.�
The basic guideline they are using of 5 or more CTCs (circulating tumor cells) per 7.5ml has more to do with getting that number down to improve survival in patients. Seems they can use this as a guide to step up treatment in patients with that higher number to improve their chances, as well as a tool to see what is working.
I am JAZZED to think that I can go in and get a test other than the usual tumor markers to determine if more testing/scans are needed to see if this darned disease is again on the march!

At last!!!!! I am so tired of hearing about all the great things coming down the pike and waiting for approval. And I am so tired of taking grueling chemo and never really knowing if it is working because my markers are not reliable.

I can't tell you, Joe, how much I appreciate this list. I would have been saying yeah, yeah, but how long is it going to take after the trials to get approved and get on the market. The news was not clear in saying it was already approved!!!!

Wow, its about time! Will be interesting to see what our oncologist thinks of it. I will be showing it to him. Thanks Joe you are certainly, on top of things!! Hugs, Sandy

I would very much like to see the article but no attachment was available on my computer. I am using aol with a MAC and dial-up connection. Is there any way you can post the address of the article or email it. Thanks in advance.