Lapatinib EAP without Antracycline

[alw]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on getting Lapatinib through EAP without prior Anthracycline use.

Regards,

Amy

[Becky]

One of our members wasn't qualified for the EAP because she did not have an anthracycline even though she had tried many different combos of many chemos and Herceptin.


You must adhere, for the time being, with the criteria outlined for the Tykerb/Xeloda trial and having had an anthracycline is part of the criteria.

[Sandy H]

Becky, is correct. I had been on it so was able to get on the trial of Tykerb/Xeoloda back in August. It should change soon if it gets released next month which I am patiently waiting for. hugs, Sandy

[RhondaH]

if the patient is topoIIa + (see Lani's article). It may be of NO use.

Rhonda

[Becky]

That's true Rhonda and it will soon be a moot point when Tykerb is FDA approved. However, when this trial started AC or EC was a standard of care (or FAC, FEC etc) for early Her2+ bc, so they wanted women who received ASCO's recommendation of standard of care.


It is the only way to really qualify results. This is evident in the HERA trial (receiving Herceptin after chemo vs during the taxane portion of chemo). The HERA results so far show Herceptin works just as well as if given with a taxane BUT... the HERA trial allowed any type of chemo (including CMF which doesn't work very well in Her2+ women) and they allowed node negative women (which the other trials did not). And the other trials all used the same kind of chemo - so the results are apples to apples.

[Lala]

Amy,
I was thinking about the same thing recently.
I find it even more frustrating after reading the article posted by Lani “Anthracyclines on their way out of bc treatment?” It mentions the cardio toxicity issue and risk or leukemia.

I started my first line of treatment in a clinical trial. I understand how trial protocols work and the importance of the data. While I appreciate the stringent guidelines the FDA requires. I just wish there was a way in order to ‘isolate within a trial’ a sect group to include more.

It seems like there is a group of us ‘newly diagnosed brain mets’ that have never had the Anthracycline. I find it beyond frustrating to know that a drug that may benefit me is so far out of reach. Well here’s my wish I hope that all of us who could benefit by compassion do get compassion.

[lu ann]

I was one of the people denied tykerb because I did not have an anthracycline. The nurse called me the day before I was to start, to give me the news. This was after I had the required blood tests, bone scan, ct scan, and ekg.

I am currently on doxil which is an anthracycline like adrimyacine without all the nasty side effects. I have been feely pretty good.

[Lala]

Lu Ann

I was wondering how long have you been on the Doxil? Are you taking this with Herceptin or alone?

I am glad you are feeling well, hope it does the trick and fast.

Hugs

[ivettvega40]

I am Ivett Vega from Lima-Peru, I am going to try to write about my cancer and sorry for my English.
I had a surgery in my left breast. I tumor was about 2 cm and the result was. HER2 positive. The first Quimioterapia was with Taxolx 4 luego RT(5040 gcy), then Tamoxifeno 20 mg/day.
In May-05 Had metastatic to bone and star use Herceptin, Capecitabina oral, Docetaxel, and acido Zolendronico.

Nov-05 New focuss in the bone were found.
May-2006 At that time I had a metastaric in the Brain with multiple focus, the mayor was 2.8 cm
I used with Radio in the Brain with Temozalamida then change to Aromasin.
June-06 Star with Gemzar +CCDP and continue with Herceptin.
Sept 6 -2006 the main tumor had 3.1 cm. Start use Metrotexate.

Right now I know that Lapatinib is a option to me but I can not get. If some body or hospital can help me please let me the opportunity to increase my posibility to continue living for my kids.
Many thanks to all people that read my notes and can help me. Many thanks again.

Ivett Vega

[ivettvega40]

I am Ivett Vega (44 years old) from Lima-Peru, I am going to try to write about my cancer and sorry for my English.
I had a surgery in my left breast. I tumor was about 2 cm and the result was. HER2 positive. The first Quimioterapia was with Taxolx 4 luego RT(5040 gcy), then Tamoxifeno 20 mg/day.
In May-05 Had metastatic to bone and star use Herceptin, Capecitabina oral, Docetaxel, and acido Zolendronico.

Nov-05 New focuss in the bone were found.
May-2006 At that time I had a metastaric in the Brain with multiple focus, the mayor was 2.8 cm
I used with Radio in the Brain with Temozalamida then change to Aromasin.
June-06 Star with Gemzar +CCDP and continue with Herceptin.
Sept 6 -2006 the main tumor had 3.1 cm. Start use Metrotexate.

Right now I know that Lapatinib is a option to me but I can not get. If some body or hospital can help me please let me the opportunity to increase my posibility to continue living for my kids.
Many thanks to all people that read my notes and can help me. Many thanks again.
You can write me to ivettvega40@gmail.com or irodriguez1956@gmail.com

Ivett Vega

[heblaj01]

Ivett Vega,
If you cannot get Lapatinib immediately, ask your oncologist if you can get Herceptin by injection in the spine. This was used experimentaly in a few cases in Germany & the USA.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q..._uids=16596213
Application of intrathecal trastuzumab (Herceptintrade mark) for treatment of meningeal carcinomatosis in HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.


Other treatments (such as Temodar/Sorafenib) are discussed at:
http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...ad.php?t=26347

As a last resort ask your oncologist about Boswellia serrata:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...arch&DB=pubmed
A lipoxygenase inhibitor in breast cancer brain metastases.

[Lala]

Ivett
I hope that your post will be moved to the main board so that others may see this. I truly hope that someone can help you.

Have you tried contacting the Drug Company or even Joe the webmaster of this website for advice?

My prayers and thoughts are with you. Hugs to you.