PERJETA solo anyone? How to access?
 

I want to add pertuzumab to my cocktail mix. It seems that insurance will pay only if used with TAXOL.
I won't do any chemo - only interested in targeted approach. (Exception would be TDM1).

Anyone figured out how to get pertuzamab/PERJETA only?

Thanks for any ideas...#iHateAnthem :-)

Re: PERJETA solo anyone? How to access?
 

Hello SoCalGal,

I am on Herceptin and Perjeta with no Taxol. My oncologist prescribed this as such despite what the FDA insert said on the medication pamphlet/box. I agree with you that if you can avoid harsh chemo by all means do so. One of the nurse navigators informed me that my doctor would not prescribe the Perjeta without the Taxol because "that's how the FDA wants us to prescribe this." What is interesting I had already spoken with my oncologist about the Perjeta and he had informed me that he would write the order without the Taxol because my liver spot was already .9 mm showing considerable shrinkage. Needless to say, I asserted myself strongly with the nurse navigator whom I had never even met. She was put in her place by the oncologist. This is a new drug and cancer centers, nurses, and pharmacists may be quite rigid. Your oncologist should be your advocate. I have been doing well thus far and there was even more shrinkage on the liver spot now to .6 mm after just two months of the H/P combo. Good luck and tell your doc that other centers are prescribing without the Taxol. I hope this helps. The only thing I can think of which would make your doctor decline your request may center on the fact that you have other chemos. My doctor did tell me because I have not been heavily treated in the past he was much more open to foregoing the Taxol.

Take care,

Jackie

Re: PERJETA solo anyone? How to access?
 

Also, if in Indiana we can be a little more progressive I certainly would expect Southern California to be up to date. I have spent considerable time in California and almost moved but then the cancer thing derailed me. Love, love, love California. Even got married on the beach in San Diego. Wonderful!

Re: PERJETA solo anyone? How to access?
 

Great news, my doc will advocate for me, I think and I hope! Spoke with Genetech today and am getting the wheels turning and also being the squeaky wheel. Patient assistant/access is possible. Now I just need to find out if I can use perjeta with avastin - again my doc will have to call genentech and ask. Squeak, squeak - reminds me of Tiptoe!! thanks for info.
Hugs.

Re: PERJETA solo anyone? How to access?
 

Hi Flori, I was on tykerb-herceptin for almost 3 years and when I progressed this Sept, my onc wanted to add perjeta with herceptin. Insurance said no since I have already been receiving herceptin. The protocol was taxotere-hercep-perjeta. Have had taxotere (which I call taxo terror) before...we decided to try navelbine with herceptin for now. He said he has not abandoned perjeta....so we shall see. Ceesun