?????

anyone know the benefit of taking herceptin alone after chemo. I did not have taxol, just 4xac. Anyone know what benefit I can recieve for taking herceptin alone?

[al from Canada]

Although chemo may kill cancer cells it doesn't change your HER2 status. It's the HER2 receptors attached to the cell membranes that will create further aberrations that will turn regular cells into cancerous ones. By pugging those receptors with herceptin, you render them inoperable thus the probability of reoccurance is greatly reduced.

The short answer is that it is to your benefit to take herceptin both with the taxol and after it.
Regards,
Al.

right, but what is the overall statistical advantage to herceptin alone. I had a very small tumor and it was not in my nodes there for the drs. said that the risks of taxol outweighed the benefits of 1%. There for I have heard that herceptin has a 50% benefit with chemo, what is the benefit alone after chemo? Anyone know.

[karenann]

The HERA trial used Herceptin after chemo (all different types of chemo) was completed and although the final results aren't in yet, the trial is showing a 46% cut in recurrence. I am receiving Herceptin after completing dose dense AC & T. I started 2 weeks after my last Taxol. I had a 1.3cm tumor, no lymph node involvement, stage 1. I had to push for the Herceptin because my doc said I didn't need it with my early stage and good prognosis.

If you want to find information on the HERA trial, got to breastcancer.org and type in HERA trial.

Karen

[Becky]

The benefit of recurrence reduction of herceptin + taxol is 52%. The benefit of recurrence reduction of herceptin alone (after completing some type of chemo regime) is 46%.


Becky

[AlaskaAngel]

So... WHY, sientifically speaking, would oncs think it is not likely to be effective for those who are over a year out compared to someone who is only a few months out?

I can give see where just maybe the risk/benefit for a late Stage I might not be impressive enough for them, but what is the scientific principle behind not being more liberal about it in regard to someone who is stage II? Why would it "work" any differently just because of time... I grasp that the more time that goes by, the more dominant any remaining cancer might be in overwhelming the immune system and Herceptin... but in that case, why wait, since it would seem more logical to get going with it the sooner the better anyhow?

AlaskaAngel

[karenann]

AA,

If I were you, I would push for the Herceptin.

Karen