How has Serum Her2 test worked for you??

Cathya · 08-27-2006, 09:59 AM

I am wondering who on the board is using the Bayer Serum Her2 test and what sort of numbers you are getting. I would like to know these in conjunction with your ER/PR status and whether you are strongly Her2+ or borderline as well as treatments.

I am waiting for my first results, am ER/PR+ and borderline. I have only been on Arimidex for the past four months but am beginning herceptin again this week on a weekly basis. I intend to get another test at least one month after starting herceptin. I'm stage 3c having finished chemo, radiation August 2005.

Thanks,

Cathy

newgg · 08-27-2006, 10:39 AM

Thanks Cathy for this post. It is timely for me and will be very interested in the replies. Also trying to get the first her2 serum drawn and have the onc. office checking out where it can be done. Strongly HER2 pos as well as ER/PR pos. Out of chemo for 13 months before herceptin started. Have been on Arimidex since Jan. 05. Tumor marker continues to rise a point or two with each month. Also concerned about some other blood chemistry that is going slightly to the edges of normal. Jeeeezze......sometimes a little bit of knowledge is a dang dangerous thing !!! Ha....that is why I need to be here.....need a *BIG* bit of knowledge.
Hugs, Bonnie

Cathya · 08-27-2006, 12:16 PM

Bonnie;

I had my Serum her2 test done at Quest Diagnostics. Results apparently take about one week as results are faxed to my onc....a bit longer for me as they are mailed to me. I also get tumor markers taken and so far so good. I think being ER/PR+ we need more than the serum test as our tumors are fed by hormones as well. I am now looking for tests to see if the arimidex is working.....these drugs are like herceptin and apparently don't work for everyone. Yes, we do need knowledge. I hope the results come in so we perhaps will see some patterns.

Best regards,

Cathy

Becky · 08-27-2006, 01:10 PM

Cathy

When I went to ASCO I saw a post about a study on Stage 4 women with bone mets only. The researcher used only an antihormonal on these women and measured response. This paper indicated that when estradiol levels went up over 20 (I will see if I have a copy of this paper to include the units of measure), this was an indication that the AI wasn't working.

I asked what she did with these women after that - she commented on Faslodex or Tamoxifen (she indicated tamox is fine for Her2+ women as long as they are also on Herceptin).

So... I come back from ASCO and have my onc run estradiol when they do the cancer marker tests. Result comes back as less than 30. So, I call my onc and ask for the exact number. Well, Quest and Labcorp's lowest reading is less than 30 (which he says is a good number - I am on Arimidex too). So, apparently, these normal labs can't measure lower (I went to a seminar that said in a postmenopausal woman, an AI can take the estradiol level to 1 or 2). So, according to a normal lab, my estradiol level is as low as they can measure it.

Ask your onc about this. Estradiol levels can be measured. Maybe the lab you use has a more sensitive test than the ones we use. Apparently, in a research setting, they can use expensive, sensitive tests.

Have a nice rest of your weekend.

Becky

Lolly · 08-27-2006, 09:19 PM

Hi,
I'm currently on 2 weekly Herceptin with continuous low-dose Xeloda. Have been on Herceptin/+or- chemo since 2001 for systemic disease in lymph system. Initial tumor marker analysis was with CEA, but levels were no longer elevated at third recurrence in Oct.2005. First HER-2/neu Serum test was performed (and Navelbine stopped) one month after starting Xeloda.
The most recent test in May showed normal levels, although my recent PET scan in July showed the affected nodes as stable with some shrinkage in the largest node, but several small areas of new activity. Apparently Xeloda/Herceptin is keeping the activity contained in my lymph system, as the Serum test is showing no circulating cells and PET and Brain MRI show no other activity.

Oncogene Science HER-2/neu Microtiter ELISA (Reference: 5.1-13.5 = normal range

03/28/06 - 12.7
04/25/06 - 11.5
05/24/06 - 6.8

Also, here's a link to the discussion that took place on the board earlier this year with Dr.Walt Carney of Oncogene Science:

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...ghlight=Carney

<3 Lolly

Cathya · 08-28-2006, 07:46 AM

Lolly;

Thank you so much for posting. This makes sense as I recall someone on the site said that although she had tumors her markers, including the Serum Her2 test I believe, were normal. It sounds like you can be normal if you don't have significant circulating tumor cells but can still have a contained tumor. So, the test is useful if done regularly in order to know if things are progressing. I guess it would also be useful following clear MRI's or PET scan to monitor a build up in the blood which would lead to a tumor developing. Sound right to you? I hope more post on their results.

Cathy

alw · 10-07-2006, 10:07 AM

Hello,

For those of you using the HER2 Serum Test to monitor disease, what would be (or has been) your course of action should the number begin to rise? and also, how often are you having the test performed?

My sister's oncologist has said that the test is too new to dictate treatment changes. I'm wondering if anyone else has come across this type of attitude?

And how is your treatment impacted by any changes in the test results?

Regards,

Amy

tousled1 · 10-08-2006, 05:58 AM

I finally got the result of my first HER2 Serum Test -- 10.1. My oncologist immediately said that she was going to use it as a baseline and that she would repeat the test in another 6 weeks.

I know that 10.1 is within "normal" range and my tumor marker (16.2) is also within "normal" range. I don't put much faith in the tumor marker tests since my initial test was 15.3 and I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer.

I'm hoping that the HER2 Serum Test will shed better light on HER2 breast cancer.

Christine · 10-08-2006, 08:17 AM

Cathy,
This test happens to be my favotite way to monitor any future progression. I have been a well patient for 7 years, and use this test to make sure I stay in the normal range It has been extremely helpful and has never gone higher than 6 or 7 over the past year. I highly recommend it also to check on your treatment effectiveness as the tests helps when the # of her2 are going either up or down. It is a helpful tool for the Oncologist also.
Tumor marker test have never woked for me, except for this one, There was only the CEA that proved somewhat helpful in getting a positive Dx back in 1999.
I am thankful to have a more defined test to keep me in check,
Your first should be considered your baseline result. The # can be over the normal value -15, ,but changes as your therapy goes on, showing if your chemo is working.
The best way to keep track is by testing every 3 months.
Smart move.
Thank yoir Onc for keeping up with the times.
Hugs,
Christine