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StephN · 11-17-2008, 12:12 PM

Hi -
Regarding your question of whether a high HER2 number will result in better response to Herceptin, I have heard from the top researchers at the cancer meetings (most in private conversations) that they DO think that if you have a high HER2 factor, the chances are very good for good response.

One thing you should be aware of is that there are FOUR known HER pathways. The HER 2 happens to be the target for Herceptin. Perhaps there is a way that a very strong HER2 signaling overshadows the other HER pathways allowing a better response with Herceptin therapy.

I spoke to more than one researcher at the AACR meeting last April who is working on this very question. It would be great to get some results of their studies!

Our kind of cancer can be very "smart" and figure ways to utilize the other HER pathways and circumvent the number TWO route, thereby rendering Herceptin useless against the cancer in its new incarnation.

11-17-2008, 12:12 PM	#6
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Hi - Regarding your question of whether a high HER2 number will result in better response to Herceptin, I have heard from the top researchers at the cancer meetings (most in private conversations) that they DO think that if you have a high HER2 factor, the chances are very good for good response. One thing you should be aware of is that there are FOUR known HER pathways. The HER 2 happens to be the target for Herceptin. Perhaps there is a way that a very strong HER2 signaling overshadows the other HER pathways allowing a better response with Herceptin therapy. I spoke to more than one researcher at the AACR meeting last April who is working on this very question. It would be great to get some results of their studies! Our kind of cancer can be very "smart" and figure ways to utilize the other HER pathways and circumvent the number TWO route, thereby rendering Herceptin useless against the cancer in its new incarnation. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.