Growth Factors Inhibiting Targeted Meds Against Her2...

[RobinP]

In the February 15 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, the researchers found that HER2-positive tumors that did not respond to Herceptin expressed certain basal markers, growth factors and growth factor receptors. One of these, insulin-growth factor receptor 1(IGF-1R), was associated with a Herceptin response rate that was half that of tumors that did not express IGF-1R.Therefore, what can patients with her2+ breast cancer do to decrease growth factors. I would assume that lower insulin levels via a low carbohydate/fat diet and exercise would be a start to lowering the IGR. Additionally, I wonder what else could be done? Any thought anyone?

PS. I also wonder if premenopausal women, who still have circulating hormones, have less response to Herceptin than women without hormones or menopausal? Any takers?