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chrisy · 03-04-2009, 04:08 PM

Hi Sue,

A study on this combination was released last year at ASCO. You've probably not heard of many people taking this combination because Abraxane is a relatively new agent, and some people have difficulty getting it paid for by insurance so they get Taxol instead.

Abraxane is basically the same thing as Taxol, but it is bound with an albumin coating which makes it easier to deliver. It has lower toxicity (because taxol has to be mixed with something else which can cause serious reactions - and requires a lot of premeds) and so they can administer higher doses of the "taxane" part of the drug. I think there have also been studies showing abraxane can be effective even if there has been prior resistance to other taxanes.

All the taxanes are synergystic with carboplatin and herceptin, so it is definitely a valid option.

Here's a link to an article on this combo
http://www.reuters.com/article/press...008+BW20080602

03-04-2009, 04:08 PM	#8
chrisy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 3,207	Hi Sue, A study on this combination was released last year at ASCO. You've probably not heard of many people taking this combination because Abraxane is a relatively new agent, and some people have difficulty getting it paid for by insurance so they get Taxol instead. Abraxane is basically the same thing as Taxol, but it is bound with an albumin coating which makes it easier to deliver. It has lower toxicity (because taxol has to be mixed with something else which can cause serious reactions - and requires a lot of premeds) and so they can administer higher doses of the "taxane" part of the drug. I think there have also been studies showing abraxane can be effective even if there has been prior resistance to other taxanes. All the taxanes are synergystic with carboplatin and herceptin, so it is definitely a valid option. Here's a link to an article on this combo http://www.reuters.com/article/press...008+BW20080602 __________________ 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