Intrathecal (IT) Herceptin (Trastuzumab) for brain mets (Leptomeningeal Metastases)

[Lani]

Vicky leptomeningeal metastases are those that sit on the outer linings of the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid circulates within those membranes.

If your brain mets are not near the outer (or inner) linings of the brain, it is unlikely IT herceptin can get to them as I understand it.

Please be certain to clarify where your brain mets are and how far from the CSF they may lie.

[Rolepaul]

Lani,
Actually, at the doses that were used with Nina and Carol, three of the deep brain patients had good results. It just means that steroids are needed to keep the swelling from causing problems. It is not easy to get patients treated, but there have been three that I am aware of that all had good results. IT does work better on leptimeningeal cases, but there is pretty good evidence that these higher doses are giving positive results as well. As always, Gamma Knife should be the first choice if the lesion is smaller than 2 cm and not near critical function areas. I get information that is not yet public knowledge. That is what I do for a living. There are overseas locations that are not always Medical Industry or medical research friendly until a leader's wife/daughter/mother/granddaughter has an issue.