HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - No TDM1 trial for me

jml · 05-13-2010, 04:16 PM

Actually, the study that I screened for in Indiana is a TDM1 + PI3Kinase (targeted drug to reduce resistance to Herceptin)combo. The TDM1 is an infusion q3weeks & the PI3Kinase is a drug taken orally x 14days.
I believe it's the PI3Kinase that they are most concerned about with regard to the Metformin.
Oh and here's a little history on how I began using Metformin...
After my 1st 49weeks of treatment, and finally NED, I started gaining weight, was constantly tired & lethargic, had a lot of blood sugar swings, etc. I went to an endocrinologist to be evaluated, assumed I was hypothyroid, but instead, they did a glucose challenge and determined I was insulin resistant - not diabetic, not pre-diabetic, simply insulin resistant, likely due to prolonged steroid exposure in the chemo pre-meds.
He explained that now that we are seeing more long term survivors, with longer treatment regimens they're discovering a new crop of secondary side effects, like mine.
I've never been re-evaluated, and honestly don't think I'm insulin resistant anymore, but have continued on the Metformin because of the research that supports its use with MBC. And while all my docs support continuing on the Metformin, I was ironically dq'd from the trial for it.

Are there many other folks out there using Metformin off label?

05-13-2010, 04:16 PM	#6
jml Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 415	Re: No TDM1 trial for me - DQ'd for Metformin use Actually, the study that I screened for in Indiana is a TDM1 + PI3Kinase (targeted drug to reduce resistance to Herceptin)combo. The TDM1 is an infusion q3weeks & the PI3Kinase is a drug taken orally x 14days. I believe it's the PI3Kinase that they are most concerned about with regard to the Metformin. Oh and here's a little history on how I began using Metformin... After my 1st 49weeks of treatment, and finally NED, I started gaining weight, was constantly tired & lethargic, had a lot of blood sugar swings, etc. I went to an endocrinologist to be evaluated, assumed I was hypothyroid, but instead, they did a glucose challenge and determined I was insulin resistant - not diabetic, not pre-diabetic, simply insulin resistant, likely due to prolonged steroid exposure in the chemo pre-meds. He explained that now that we are seeing more long term survivors, with longer treatment regimens they're discovering a new crop of secondary side effects, like mine. I've never been re-evaluated, and honestly don't think I'm insulin resistant anymore, but have continued on the Metformin because of the research that supports its use with MBC. And while all my docs support continuing on the Metformin, I was ironically dq'd from the trial for it. Are there many other folks out there using Metformin off label?