HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

Joan M · 11-11-2011, 09:42 PM

Red,

Even if cancer advances while on Herceptin, trials have shown that patients who continue to take the drug along with chemotherapy and perhaps Tykerb, as well if possible, do better than those who stop taking it.

I took Herceptin adjuvantly off-label during the adjuvant trials (that is before it was FDA-approved for early-stage bc), and it's the only drug I've ever taken since my cancer became stage 4 in January 2007, about 3 1/2 years after my masctectomy for stage 2 bc. And I've been NED since Oct. 2008 and continue to take Herceptin 3 three weeks.

Joan

11-11-2011, 09:42 PM	#7
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: From IIIc to IV with liver mets Red, Even if cancer advances while on Herceptin, trials have shown that patients who continue to take the drug along with chemotherapy and perhaps Tykerb, as well if possible, do better than those who stop taking it. I took Herceptin adjuvantly off-label during the adjuvant trials (that is before it was FDA-approved for early-stage bc), and it's the only drug I've ever taken since my cancer became stage 4 in January 2007, about 3 1/2 years after my masctectomy for stage 2 bc. And I've been NED since Oct. 2008 and continue to take Herceptin 3 three weeks. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!! Last edited by Joan M; 11-11-2011 at 09:46 PM..