recycling used chemos

[rosie]

I am running out of options for my lung mets. We are kind of scraping the bottom of the barrel. I keep asking various oncs about reusing chemos that worked so well before and I keep getting the stock answer which is that if you progressed on a certain chemo, it won't work again.
But if I think about it, some of these chemos are from 4 years ago, and if I have had other chemos since then, is it possible that these might have wiped out those particular resistant cells? What is the downside in trying other than it won't work?
Does anyone have any stories about reused chemos working? Any stories about abraxane or taxol working after a year on taxotere?
I don't have much left to go for.

Anybody know anything about topotecan?

Any ideas welcome.
Rosie

[Julie2]

Rosie,

Are you trying to get tykereb on EAP?

Julie

[rosie]

I was on the original trial for tykerb back in 2003 for 4 months. No longer an option....

[R.B.]

You did say any ideas. I wondered if you have looked at the posts on diet, possible cancer risk reduction and particularly balancing the omega threes and sixes.



There is significant evdience that omega threes ALA DHA and EPA may moderate cancer risk.

Various trials are being done with DHA and low dosage COX blockers.

There is also some evidence of omega three proving a positive adjunct to some chemos.

The above subject are covered in the following link
http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...ght=greek+diet

You might if interested like to look at this link which contains a range of links on omega three, six and cancer.

Please definately discuss any dietary changes with your advisors.

Bearing in mind all the caveats contained in tha paragrpah below you may find this interesting http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...ught+provoking


I am sorry I cannot do more than post what other people are saying. The subject of fats and the body is enormous complex controversial and much is not understood, but it is none the less highly thought provoking, and it would appear that some have benifited sufficently for trials to be ongoing.



RB

[Cathya]

Hi;

Have you tried Avastin?

Cathy

[chrisy]

Rosie,

I have heard on this board and from my doctors that there IS data indicating that you can "reuse" a chemo that has been successful in the past. I don't know the studies, but Al from Canada has commented on this more than once. I don't know if he will see this, but you could send him a PM with this question.

Also, as others have suggested, you may be eligible for Tykerb so that is definitely worth trying!
Chris

Best of luck to you

[janet/FL]

Rosie,
I think there are women here who have been on the different Taxanes. They do work differently in they system so you can try one after you have tried another. At least that is my understanding. Hopefully someone with experience with this will write.
Hugs,
Janet

[mamacze]

Dear Rosie,
If Al from Canada or Becky don't see your post, you may want to send them a private email asking for advice. I am also wondering if you can just get a pathology on this stubborn lung mets, you may find that it no longer has the same characteristics of your original tumor. For example if it is now overexpressing Her1 instead of Her 2, your onc may treat it differently. I think if I were in your shoes, with the limited information on your tumor that you have provided, I would get another pathology on this tumor and fly to Dr. Eric Winer at Dana Farber in Mass or Dr. Denny Slamon in LA for a second opinion.
Hang in there with us Rosie, this is an unsettling and difficult time for you...it will be hard to stay energized and focused, but you can do this. Read MADuBois's posts for some inspiration! Love and light,
Kim from CT

[KathyA]

My doc has suggested going from taxol to taxotere or even a newer derivation so it seems that it's possible I'll ask tomorrow. However they did work for some time? He is very well respected arounfd here? Prayers.
Kathy