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Christine, after our talk this morning regarding the GSK teleconference, I realized I'd meant to post on this thread but somehow forgot; apologies for the delay, hope it's still timely.
My onc ordered the Elissa Her2 Serum last spring after I started progressing, to monitor response to new treatment. I had the test once monthly for 3 months;
month one - 12.7
month two - 11.5
month three - 6.8
PET/CT the following month showed no new progression and active tumors shrinking, so it really put our minds at ease that the active cancer was under control and any circulating "baddies" were being eliminated.
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Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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