Herceptin Allergic Reaction - Re-Posted from New Members Forum

[Carina]

Hello Everyone,

I found this site last night and have already found it a great source of information - thanks to all for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

I posted my message originally on the New Members Forum but Cherlee suggested that I might wish to post here as I am likely to get more responses.

I am 43 and diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma stage IIIa in the right breast in December 2005. Though there were only 3 of 8 lymph nodes involved, the size of one of the lymph nodes suggested that perhaps more than one were matted together. The largest tumour removed was 3.7 cm with lymphatic and vascular invasion. HER2-neu ratio greater than 7.8, ER/PR positive and extensive atypia on the left side. I had a bilat mastectomy (modified radical on the right side and prophylactic on the left) on Jan. 11th, 2006. Completed 4 rounds of AC in July 2006 and started Taxol and Herceptin 3 weeks later. Have had to get Neulasta during both AC and Taxol.

Experienced hives, itching and significant pain (feet, legs mainly with some pain in the arms and sternum) for approx. 6 days after the first T + H treatment. My oncologist put this down to a reaction to Taxol. Ten minutes into the second Herceptin infusion I had hives on the face, swelling of the lips and tongue and constriction in my throat and chest. This was despite receiving Benadry and dexamethasone as pre-meds. The Herceptin was stopped and I received more Benadryl, dex and famatodine (a pepcid). However, I had the same reaction when the Herceptin was re-started. I was only able to receive 1/2 of the dose before it had to be stopped completely. I was then given a full dose of Taxol. I have continued to have allergic reactions throughout the three weeks since my last treatment and I am due for my next round on Aug. 18th. I suspect that I might be reacting to both the Taxol and Herceptin.

I met with my onc today and he did not have any suggestions on how to continue with the Herceptin. He will be doing some research over the next few weeks. I have e-mailed Genetech to ask for any literature on Herceptin allergies. Hopefully someting will come of it.

I really want to find a way to safely continue with Herceptin. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge successfully dealing with anaphylactic allergic reactions to Herceptin? I have heard of Lapatinib (Tykerb) and Sutent but don't know if they may be suitable alternatives to Herceptin.

I know this is a long post and thank you for making your way through it. Best wishes and continued strength for each of your journeys. Take care.

Carina