A short Synopsis of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

[Joe]

Genentech - Will submit data from the adjuvant Herceptin trials to the FDA for approval in the first quarter.

GSK - Phase III clinical trials of Tykerb (lapatinib) are in full swing. Adjuvant trials of Tykerb (Lapatinib) should begin shortly in Europe and an application is planned before the FDA to start adjuvant trials in the US shortly.

GSK - Brain Tumors - We spoke to Dr. Winer and also several people from GSK's neuro-oncology unit. The phase I trials of Tykerb (Lapatinib) look promising and other trials are planned using a combination of drugs. Dr. Winer is confident of eventual success.

Bayer Serum Test - Clinical studies are underway and a comprehensive presentaion is planned at ASCO in May.

In general, The HER2 Support Group was warmly received by all of the professional groups who attended this event. We are finally achieving the recognition that we have worked for the past 4 years to attain. I believe that all of our efforts can be summed up in an email that I received from Dr. Martin Murphy, who is the publisher of OncologyR Magazine which is a highly respected journal for clinical oncologists:

Dear Christine:

My wife, Ann, and I had the pleasure of meeting Joe last night at a
reception sponsored by GSK-Oncology for advocates. It was the highpoint of
the evening. We are very thankful that GSK's Kevin Lokay pointed us in
Joe's direction.

You and your family have taken a diagnosis and converted it into hope for
yourselves ... and a global village of breast cancer patients. In the
process you are inspiring those of us who devote our careers (and a good
portion of our waking hours) to finding solutions for this intolerable
disease.

We salute you ... and will find ways in which to help support you and your
HER2 Support Group.

Choicest regards,

Marty

Dr. Martin J. Murphy
Executive Editor
The OncologistR

Christine and I alone cannot accept full credit for the success of our support group as we could not have achieved our many accomplishments without the support and contributions of the many thousands of breast cancer survivors who visit our website. I sincerely do believe that all of you are the "family" that Dr. Murphy refers to in his email.

Warmest Regards
Joe and Christine