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Hi Lolli,
First, do not give up hope. The fact that your friend is feeling well and able to function is VERY good, and may mean she has more opportunity to try other options.
Unfortunately, herceptin does not work for all Her2+++ women, perhaps your friend is one of those for whom it is not effective. Same story with chemos, not every chemo works for every person - so much is dependent upon the individual biology of the cancer. Breast cancer is a very heterogenous disease.
This doesn't necessarily mean that NOTHING will work. There are other options, other chemos. There is a thread in Articles of Interest I think that was recently posted by Lolly (great name, huh?) listing "all" the chemos used to treat breast cancer. Some with mets to lungs have done very will with Navelbine. Also, she may be able to try Tykerb which also targets Her2 and Her!. She would be eligible for this new drug as she has clearly had progression on Herceptin. Avastin is also a possibility.
Again, the fact that your friend feels well and is apparently completely able to function is very good news - this means that she is strong enough to consider and try some of these other options, and that she may be eligible for clinical trials. Is she seeing a top oncologist (meaning at a major cancer center)?
Please do not give up.
Much love
Chris
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Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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