Thread: Herceptin
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Old 07-05-2007, 03:29 PM   #13
Lani
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,783
my point was not whether herceptin affected the immune system

but whether it needed an intact immune system to work. The verdict is not out on that, but it seems to have a number of potential mechanisms of action, some of which require an intact immune system and others which do not. (plus the immune system has many subcategories and not all may be affected equally by the anti-rejection drugs)

My other point, was that anti-hormonals work better when given WITH antiher2 treatment as the ER is pathway which is upregulated when you block her2 and vice versa.

Should he decide to take the herceptin, discuss taking it with Faslodex simultaneously with your husband's oncologist. Dr. Dennis Slamon, who invented Herceptin, has stated at various meetings that he feels this is the best antihormonal to combine with herceptin in her2+ER+ patients. That way it may be harder for his tumor to escape/become resistant to the herceptin.

Perhaps your husband's oncologist could call Dr. Slamon and discuss your husband's case with him.

Again, I hope this helps more than frustrates you!
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