CherylS,
Really, the only mention I have seen for consideration of Tykerb for early stage disease is a suggestion at the end of the article posted in this thread by RhondaH in the "articles of interest" forum:
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/sho...rid=1173<br />.
I spoke to my onc yesterday about he and I talking about adding Tykerb to my regimen of Herceptin and Arimidex should the FDA approve Tykerb as anticipated in the next few months. The use would be "off-label," as approval has only been sought to use the drug in metastatic patients. However, I, and alot of other people were receiving Herceptin for early stage disease on the same off-label basis, prior to the FDA's approval for its use with early stage disease. Technically, I am still receiving it off-label, because it is only approved for use in early stage bc in conjunction with standard chemotherapy regimens. I chose not to do chemotherapy, and receive Herceptin as monotherapy.
Dr. Slamon made some comments about Tykerb vs. Herceptin, that Tykerb would have good synergy with Herceptin, but not replace it. Because the two drugs together would attack two different ascpects of the cancer cells, this makes excellent sense to me. My interest in adding it even for a short time is that it supposedly crosses the blood brain barrier, which Herceptin does not. I would like just a little insurance against the potential for brain mets.
Anyway, when and if the time comes, it is no slam dunk that my onc would agree to it or that insurance would pay for it. It is just something I would like to go over in depth with him once the drug is available, to see if he feels that it would be worthwhile for me, given my diagnosis and treatment.
Hopeful
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