Late Herceptin and Tykerb...

[PatS]

Here's a link to the transcript from the latest online breastcancer.org conference which discussed the latest ASCO Conference.

http://www.breastcancer.org/cmty_trans_2006_06.html

I asked the question regarding late herceptin, and this is their (Dr. Robert's) answer:

"PS: Have there been any recommendations for those who are HER2-positive but did not receive Herceptin during their initial treatment and are two or more years out of chemo? If Herceptin is not recommended, why not? Thank you."

"Dr. Robert: This is an excellent question. Of course there's some frustration by individuals who've seen the positive results in using Herceptin in the adjuvant trials. The critical issue is the question about timing of Herceptin treatment. In clinical trials patients received Herceptin no longer than six months after completing their chemotherapy. Just as it's standard to give chemotherapy within one or two months of diagnosis of breast cancer, where we don't think about giving chemotherapy one or two years later after the diagnosis of breast cancer, we use that same approach with Herceptin because we don't know if there's any benefit. There are concerns about side effects like damage to the heart. There is going to be a clinical trial available in this country in which the new HER2 drug, lapatinib (Tykerb), will be available for such women. It is important to emphasize in this trial there will be a placebo offered because currently standard treatment is no treatment because they're years away from their diagnosis."

I haven't had a chance to read the entire transcript but it looks like there's some interesting questions and answers.

[AlaskaAngel]

As just one member of the "Lost Regiment of HER2's" I thank you for asking the question about late Herceptin and for sharing the response from Dr. Robert.

Of course, his comment about Tykerb is most interesting: "There is going to be a clinical trial available in this country in which the new HER2 drug, lapatinib (Tykerb), will be available for such women."

Dr. Robert and I come from a somewhat different position, and although I feel his comment is very positive and encouraging, I will point out that this trial will be available for some of these women (with some having been left to recur in the meantime).

AlaskaAngel