new treatment

[WomanofSteel]

Sorry I have not been posting much. There is much craziness in my life now. My dad fell and fractured his skull and is currently in a hospital rehab. So, I have been busy taking care of my 87yr old dad and my 83yr old mom. Yesterday I received the results of my latest tests and although my current mets were unchanged I have new ones to my liver and some nodes. I had 8 great months on the hki-272 and now I will be getting a port and starting taxol and herceptin next week. Hopefully I can squeeze even more time out of this treatment. Wish me luck.

[lilyecuadorian]

the best luck for you ...

[Sheila]

Woman of Steel
so sorry about your Dad....hope his recovery is uneventful....what if they added Avastin to the Taxol Herceptin...I had great success with that combo, until my B/P got too high....I seem to be doing OK so far on the Taxol and Herceptin .....with o hair, how can you have a bad hair day???
Wishing you much success with this new combo

[PinkGirl]

Hi WOS

I'm so sorry about your dad. Watching our parents age
and decline is very, very stressful. I hope he is recovering
well.

Good luck on the new "cocktail". Please keep us posted
if you have time.

[runtolive]

ask your doctor about the trastuzumab-dm1 trial...

in july genentech is starting a new trial with tras-dm1 going head to head with herceptin/taxotere. the last reported news about tras-dm1 from asco 2008 is stunning to say the least.. about 80% of the patients so far have stable disease or at least partial response... and MPB just stated she is NED and has the paper to prove it... good luck...

run to live

St. Barnabas Health Care Sys Recruiting Livingston, New Jersey, United States, 07039 Contact: Ilda Boholli 973-322-2470 iboholli@sbhcs.com United States, New YorkEastchester Center/Cancer Care Recruiting Bronx, New York, United States, 10469 Contact: Karen Hoffman 718-732-4029 karen@eastchestercenter.com New York Oncology Hematology Recruiting Albany, New York, United States, 12206 Contact: Mary Beth Biette 518-489-0528 mary.biette@usoncology.com

Dr S, Modi at Sloan Kettering is also running alternate weekly dosing regimens

[runtolive]

Imaging Response CriteriaSince the year 2000, an international committee promulgated unified, easily applicable criteria for measuring tumor response using X-ray, CT and MRI which is known as Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). The technique is recommended but not mandatory for NCI sponsored trials and involves formalized rules for measurement of tumor target lesions.
Guidelines and a RECIST Quick Reference for incorporating the procedure are available online, and detailed explanations for application of the method in clinical trials can be found at the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) RECIST Web page. NCI-funded cooperative groups are encouraged, but not required, to use RECIST criteria.
RECIST criteria are a voluntary, international standard, and are not an NCI standard. They are based on a simplification of former methods (WHO, ECOG) and based on measurable disease, i.e., the presence of at least one measurable lesion.
RECIST criteria offer a simplified, conservative, extraction of imaging data for wide application in clinical trials. They presume that linear measures are an adequate substitute for 2-D methods and registers four response categories:

• CR (complete response) = disappearance of all target lesions
• PR (partial response) = 30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions
• PD (progressive disease) = 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions
• SD (stable disease) = small changes that do not meet above criteria

Plans call for improving on RECIST methodology by developing and validating clinical trial-acceptable methods and standards to incorporate:

• volumetric (3D) anatomical imaging
• dynamic contrast imaging
• functional (molecular) imaging

If successful, the use of medical image data as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials could lead to:

• Smaller clinical trials with fewer patients
• Earlier go/no decisions on drug compounds
• Faster regulatory approval for new drugs
• Earlier use in clinical care

[dhealey]

Woman of steel, Sorry for your misfortunes of late. Hope you father has a full recovery. Best of luck with your new treatment and praying you have many more good years ahead.

[sassy]

Keeping you and your parents in my thoughts and prayers.

[Lori R]

WOS,
I don't know if you remember me but when I was beginning my treatment I private e-mailed you. You took time from your very busy schedule with work and caring for your parents to provide encouragement.

You really are a woman of steel. You are to be applauded for providing care for your parents. But...now it is time to focus some of that energy on yourself.

In your post you mentioned that you were confident in your ONC. You are fortunate to have a Dr. you trust and I am sure will get you back to NED soon.

Thinking of you....Lori

[Bill]

Hi Superwoman! I'm sorry to hear about your Dad's injury and your latest results. I know you have alot on you right now, but please know that "we" are with you. Good luck and prayers for success with your new treatment. Bill

[Faith in Him]

WOS,

I am believing that you will have good results from your new treatment plan. What a wonderful daughter you are to your parents.

Tonya

[juanita]

I'll be sure to keep all of your family in my prayers.

[caya]

I am wishing you much success with you treatment.

all the best
caya