just placed on hospice

charlotte · 06-11-2010, 02:50 PM

Hi again... I forgot to mention that I have been to Shands in Gainsville.My husband was there for one reason and I was there for a second opinion of how we were going to suceed the protocal , that my Onc. is using is pretty much the same, except the addition of another chemo drug.I forget the name of it. not hurting quite as much today.thanks for the replys.

Lani · 06-12-2010, 07:47 PM

I believe Dr. Mark Pegram who worked hand-in-hand with Dr. Slamon moved to Miami about two years ago. Where in Florida are you?

There used to be a famous Dr. Charles(?) Vogel, also in Florida who was famous for treating people with unusual combinations of agents for breast cancer ie, he did not always go by the book, but had good results. Perhaps he would take the time to go over what you have had, what other agents might be combined in innovative ways and try to help.

At ASCO there was a poster on imiquimod(Sp?), I think combined with another agent, for skin mets--will try to find it for you.

Could you call your local American Cancer Society? It is filled with lots of volunteers who will even drive you to another distant city to get a second opinion. After all that has happened to you, I would think they would find volunteers to provide all sorts of support for you

You are not alone. Keep reaching out.

By the way, at ASCO they showed a chart of how people did with first, second, third, fourth and fifth...line therapy after becoming stage IV. Most got little more time after fourth line....except her2s some of whom did well with fifth, sixth, seventh line. Very few doctors stayed for this talk as it was one of the last on the last half day. It is too bad your doctor was in Florida dashing your hopes --perhaps should have gone to ASCO and heard all the hopeful news on her2+ breast cancer

Lani · 06-12-2010, 07:56 PM

this cream is already available for run of the mill (squamous cell, basal cell?) skin cancers so it is FDA approved just not for this purpose.

Evaluation of toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 agonist imiquimod applied topically to breast cancer chest wall recurrences or skin metastases.

Sub-category: Metastatic Breast Cancer

Category: Breast Cancer - Metastatic Breast Cancer

Meeting: 2010 ASCO Annual Meeting

Citation: J Clin Oncol 28:7s, 2010 (suppl; abstr TPS138)

Abstract No: TPS138

Attend this session at the ASCO Annual Meeting!
Session: Trials in Progress Poster Session

Type: Trials in Progress Poster Session

Time: Monday June 7, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: S Hall A2

Personalize your Annual Meeting experience with a suggested or customized itinerary!

Author(s): S. Adams, Z. Dewan, T. Meng, J. D. Goldberg, A. Tiersten, N. Bhardwaj, S. Formenti, S. Demaria; New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY; Graceway Pharmaceuticals, Exton, PA

Abstract:

Background: Purpose: To assess the clinical and biological activity of imiquimod applied topically to breast cancer metastatic to skin. Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy and the most common tumor, excluding melanoma to metastasize to the skin in women. Chestwall recurrence is debilitating for patients, substantially affecting quality of life (QOL). Current treatment modalities for nonresectable lesions are rarely curative, indicating the need for more effective and less toxic therapies. Imiquimod (IMQ), a synthetic TLR7 agonist has immunomodulatory activity with profound effects on the tumor environment, leading to clearance of primary skin malignancies. We have shown that IMQ recruits and activates dendritic cells (DC) and primes immune responses to coadministered tumor antigens in cancer patients. We have also demonstrated IMQ's antitumor efficacy in BALB/c mouse-derived TSA mammary adenocarcinoma, a poorly immunogenic tumor that ulcerates through the skin, closely mimicking the clinical scenario of patients with chestwall recurrence. Methods: Eligibility includes patients with biopsy-confirmed breast cancer, measurable skin metastases, ECOG PS 0-2 and adequate organ/marrow function. IMQ 5% cream is applied topically to skin metastases overnight for 5 days/week for 8 weeks followed by a 4-week rest period. Additional cycles are permitted. This phase II study uses a Simon optimal two-stage design: 10 patients in stage I (currently 3 enrolled), if response is observed, an additional 19 patients will enroll in stage II. Primary endpoint is 12 week antitumor response, assessed by clinical exam and computer-aided surface area calculation of skin metastases. Furthermore, effects of IMQ treatment on symptoms and health-related QOL will be determined. Tumor biopsies will be studied for immune signatures. Breast cancer skin metastases are infiltrated by inflammatory cells, including DC with markers of activation as well as tolerogenic function (e.g., IDO), and T cells with markers of effector (e.g., granzyme) as well as regulatory functions (e.g., FoxP3). The effect of IMQ treatment on the balance between these subsets will be determined.

A

charlotte · 06-13-2010, 04:29 AM

Lani/others.... it is Panama City, Fla.could the next angel who helps me , send it in a private email? I would appreciate it. I will explain later... thanks , for the help and suggestion.
This has to be the most "smartest" group of ladies here on the net... I tip my hat at all. thank ya'll so very , very much.. I truly mean it..
To change the subject.... what happened to the lady who had the title of never give up? I can't find her.
Thanks again...
I was so sick last nite, I had to call hospice.. vomiting and diarhhea. what a mess , I had to clean sheets, bedspread etc. took me all morning. to end this long email... I am still here. God bless all of you.