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Trish · 10-01-2011, 04:52 AM

Hi Bunty
Thanks for starting the thread. I'm treated at Peter Mc and my understanding is the TDM-1 trial here is only for first line metastatic treatment so I am definitely not eligible. I don't think you would be given you are having Taxol but am unsure. I have been quizzing my oncologist about it for a long time and she has been checking with her colleagues who have closer links to Genentech. So far the answer is TDM-1 is not likely to be available till 2013. There is a trial for heavily pre treated met patients (like me) starting up in US (? THERESA with the second E backwards) but my onc hasn't heard about it being available in Australia. Will ask her again about the current TDM-1 trial on Wednesday and hopefully get some written info for you in a link.
Secondly the rules around Herceptin have changed. You can get it now after Tykerb because the PBS recognises there is benefit of Herceptin beyond progression.I was switched to Tykerb/Xeloda (?late 2009ish) and it worked for a year but then my tumours grew and I could no longer have it. I couldn't get Herceptin funded at that time but got some via a trial. The rules changed last year so now I have it funded by PBS. So my message is switching to Tykerb/Xeloda (if clinically warranted)is not as risky now as you can switch back to Herceptin if the combo doesn't work for you. The onc has to do a bit of paper work but it is achievable.
Trish

10-01-2011, 04:52 AM	#2
Trish Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 434	Re: Australian Treatments and Access Hi Bunty Thanks for starting the thread. I'm treated at Peter Mc and my understanding is the TDM-1 trial here is only for first line metastatic treatment so I am definitely not eligible. I don't think you would be given you are having Taxol but am unsure. I have been quizzing my oncologist about it for a long time and she has been checking with her colleagues who have closer links to Genentech. So far the answer is TDM-1 is not likely to be available till 2013. There is a trial for heavily pre treated met patients (like me) starting up in US (? THERESA with the second E backwards) but my onc hasn't heard about it being available in Australia. Will ask her again about the current TDM-1 trial on Wednesday and hopefully get some written info for you in a link. Secondly the rules around Herceptin have changed. You can get it now after Tykerb because the PBS recognises there is benefit of Herceptin beyond progression.I was switched to Tykerb/Xeloda (?late 2009ish) and it worked for a year but then my tumours grew and I could no longer have it. I couldn't get Herceptin funded at that time but got some via a trial. The rules changed last year so now I have it funded by PBS. So my message is switching to Tykerb/Xeloda (if clinically warranted)is not as risky now as you can switch back to Herceptin if the combo doesn't work for you. The onc has to do a bit of paper work but it is achievable. Trish __________________ 5/2004 (R) 30mm bre gr3 infiltrating ductal ca 16/18nodes er (2+) pr (3+) HER2 (3+) 6/2004 6 cycles(FEC), Oct 40 rads, Tamoxifen 5/2006 oopherectomy, Arimedex 12/2006 liver mets largest 9cm 1/2007 Herceptin, 3/2007 Taxol + Herc 1/2008 Herc alone 4/2008 Multiple bone mets,Zometa 7/2008 Herc + Gemcitabine 8/2008 Herc+Navelbine/vinoralbine 10/2008 Herc+Carboplatin+Taxol 12/2008 Tykerb+Xeloda 2/2010 Herceptin + trial drug 5/2010 Herceptin+Tykerb 8/2010 Tykerb+Abraxane 9/2010 Abraxane 12/2010 Abraxane+Tyk+Herc 4/2011 Tyk+Herc+Femara 6/2011 Liver and bone mets prog.Abraxane continue Herceptin,Tykerb,Femara and Zometa 8/2011 Probable liver progression and increased neuropathy. Xeloda with Tyk+Herc. Zometa 6 weekly. 9/2011 Liver progression,TM +++. Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate metro Herc Zometa 10/2011 liver mets prog.Herc, 3 Tykerb +2mg decodron daily,Zometa