Dear all - need info on clinical trials

[Shahyan]

Hello,

As i previously posted, my mother has had her mets progress in the brain even after WBR and Temodar. It seems the only option left for us is to enroll mom in a clinical trial for Lapatinib. We are already talking with organizers of the clinical trials in Boston. Although, my mother may just qualify, we were told that other costs relating to the trial maybe prohibitive. Only the drug lapatinib is free..Other things such as chemo (Xeloda), hospitalization, scans, doctor visits etc will be charged as my mother is not a US citizen and does not have relevant insurance to cover basic procedures. We have no problem in bringing my mother to the US from Pakistan, however we may not be able to afford costs (the clinical lady said she could not even calculate the costs). Has anyone been in the same situation that I am in now? Does anyone know how we can get these costs reduced or get my mother insurance. We do not expect things to be free, but the costs they suggest run in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

My mother is however a canadian citizen. However, since she is a non-resident we can not even apply for trials in Ontario. Does anyone know if this is possible for a canadian citizen to be eligible for insurance even if she is not a canadian resident?

Any help or information will be highly appreciated. Thanks alot for all your help. Seriously I would not know what to do or even think of clinical trials without HER2SUPPORT. THANKS!!

Shahyan

[Cathya]

Shahyan;

I have made an inquiry with the Canadian Life and Health Ins. Assocation regarding any exceptions or suggestions they might have regarding your mothers need for a clinical trial here in Canada. Their website is www.clhio.ca . On the US front, I am wondering if her existing scans and reports could be emailed to a US hospital for the clinical trial. This might save at least some money. Unfortunately I have heard from a woman at my own hospital, the General in Ottawa, that even herceptin is not widely available in Pakistan. There is a clinical trial (although I don't know if it is still open) of lapatinib at the General Hospital in Ottawa.

Best regards,

Cathy