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Becky · 03-07-2009, 09:47 AM

I believe that for women who are weakly positive for both the estrogen and progesterone receptors, taking an antihormonal at least while still on Herceptin therapy, is highly beneficial. The Herceptin takes away the ability of the Her2 receptor's activity and the AI (or Tamoxifen) takes away the ability of the hormone receptors.

Women who are weakly positive for both E and P should understand that (in the case above) 15% of the cells are positive for the hormone receptors and 85% are not. If you shutdown Her2, then the other line could "take over" and be the predominant line and then you aren't doing anything about it. Even if you were only weakly positive for ER, I would still take an antihormonal drug. If weakly positive only for PR - there is not any data on that so alot of investigation may be needed.

Secondly, taking an antihormonal will and does prevent the formation of totally new breast cancers and even if you had a double masectomy, there is always a little breast tissue.

The best chance of beating bc is to do everything at your disposal and being at least alittle positive, especially on both E and P makes you a good candidate for an anti-hormonal treatment (and ESPECIALLY while still taking Herceptin).

Please realize this is only my opinion based on my research and talking to my doctors but I believe - shut those suckers down!

03-07-2009, 09:47 AM	#4
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	I believe that for women who are weakly positive for both the estrogen and progesterone receptors, taking an antihormonal at least while still on Herceptin therapy, is highly beneficial. The Herceptin takes away the ability of the Her2 receptor's activity and the AI (or Tamoxifen) takes away the ability of the hormone receptors. Women who are weakly positive for both E and P should understand that (in the case above) 15% of the cells are positive for the hormone receptors and 85% are not. If you shutdown Her2, then the other line could "take over" and be the predominant line and then you aren't doing anything about it. Even if you were only weakly positive for ER, I would still take an antihormonal drug. If weakly positive only for PR - there is not any data on that so alot of investigation may be needed. Secondly, taking an antihormonal will and does prevent the formation of totally new breast cancers and even if you had a double masectomy, there is always a little breast tissue. The best chance of beating bc is to do everything at your disposal and being at least alittle positive, especially on both E and P makes you a good candidate for an anti-hormonal treatment (and ESPECIALLY while still taking Herceptin). Please realize this is only my opinion based on my research and talking to my doctors but I believe - shut those suckers down! __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"