HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Becky · 03-03-2007, 07:45 AM

I believe that once Tykerb is approved, an onc can and will prescribe it to anyone who is progressing that is STAGE 4. Think about 1998 when Herceptin was approved for Stage 4. Oncs used it for Stage 4. Very, very, very few of us who were not 4s got adjuvant Herceptin unless they were on the trial. An adjuvant trial (2 of them) are looming (waiting for Tykerb to be FDA approved for metastatic disease which is protocol. Then their trials have to be approved).

There is no data that Tykerb works in less than Stage 4 but it probably will show results in the adjuvant setting like Herceptin has. But anyone who is not stage 4 will not be able to get it and insurance will not pay for it (there will be some rare exceptions I am sure). Even aromotase inhibitors that were okayed for early stage in October, 2004 were impossible to get unless Stage 4 until then and they were on the market for stage 4 for years.

I just want to make sure that those on the board realize that Tykerb is not universally available just because you are Her2+ because it is not and won't be unless you are Stage 4.

03-03-2007, 07:45 AM	#8
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	I believe that once Tykerb is approved, an onc can and will prescribe it to anyone who is progressing that is STAGE 4. Think about 1998 when Herceptin was approved for Stage 4. Oncs used it for Stage 4. Very, very, very few of us who were not 4s got adjuvant Herceptin unless they were on the trial. An adjuvant trial (2 of them) are looming (waiting for Tykerb to be FDA approved for metastatic disease which is protocol. Then their trials have to be approved). There is no data that Tykerb works in less than Stage 4 but it probably will show results in the adjuvant setting like Herceptin has. But anyone who is not stage 4 will not be able to get it and insurance will not pay for it (there will be some rare exceptions I am sure). Even aromotase inhibitors that were okayed for early stage in October, 2004 were impossible to get unless Stage 4 until then and they were on the market for stage 4 for years. I just want to make sure that those on the board realize that Tykerb is not universally available just because you are Her2+ because it is not and won't be unless you are Stage 4. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"