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chrisy · 02-19-2010, 11:35 AM

Hi Pam,
Well, slow progression is better than rapid progression? Sorry, I know it's hard to see silver linings...

Tykerb+Herceptin can work well even for those such as yourself who have had a lot of prior treatments. There was this study reported at SABCS last December (this is not a link to the abstract, just an article about it)

http://professional.cancerconsultant....aspx?id=42119

It might also be a good move from the standpoint of giving you a break; give your body some time to recover it's own strength. You've been under continuous assault for quite a while.

Rich's comments re adding a hormonal component may be valid. From my understanding the anti her2 and anti er agents don't so much work against each other, it's more that blocking ONE may activate the other pathway.

So a lot of her2 therapy may reactivate the ER pathway and vice versa. This is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you are blocking both. In fact, some of the research is purposely trying to use anti her2 agents to reverse tamoxifen resistance.

At any rate, there was a lot of excitement over the Tykerb/Herceptin study at SABCS; this could be a really good option for you. Remember, more toxicity does not necessarily lead to better efficacy.

02-19-2010, 11:35 AM	#18
chrisy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 3,207	Re: scan results & new treatment update Hi Pam, Well, slow progression is better than rapid progression? Sorry, I know it's hard to see silver linings... Tykerb+Herceptin can work well even for those such as yourself who have had a lot of prior treatments. There was this study reported at SABCS last December (this is not a link to the abstract, just an article about it) http://professional.cancerconsultant....aspx?id=42119 It might also be a good move from the standpoint of giving you a break; give your body some time to recover it's own strength. You've been under continuous assault for quite a while. Rich's comments re adding a hormonal component may be valid. From my understanding the anti her2 and anti er agents don't so much work against each other, it's more that blocking ONE may activate the other pathway. So a lot of her2 therapy may reactivate the ER pathway and vice versa. This is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you are blocking both. In fact, some of the research is purposely trying to use anti her2 agents to reverse tamoxifen resistance. At any rate, there was a lot of excitement over the Tykerb/Herceptin study at SABCS; this could be a really good option for you. Remember, more toxicity does not necessarily lead to better efficacy. __________________ 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