Decline in L Ventricle function reversible?

Hi, everyone. I am new to this board but am hoping that you can help me. I've been on Herceptin (weekly) for about 10 months, and last week my MUGA showed a decline in LV function (down to 44 percent from 56 percent 8 weeks ago).

I understand that my mid-50's range to begin with was perhaps on the low side of normal, but my cardiologist is worried about the sudden decline and we will probably have to stop the Herceptin.

My questions are: Does the LV function ever continue to decline after you stop Herceptin? (I'm wondering if I've bottomed out yet.) Also, I know that it is reversible, but I'm wondering if anyone here has really experienced that.

I'm 40 now and did 6 cycles of TAC last year.

I appreciate any help you have to offer and I realize that the studies on this are limited.

Hope M.

Hello Hope,

Sorry you've had to face this hurdle.

I don't have any hard facts in front of me, but I've read dozens of interviews with herceptin researchers who mention cardiotoxicity (such as your recent decline) as a rare, but almost always completely reversible, side effect of herceptin. In fact I just read an interview with one researcher recently who said that once the cardiac issue is resolved, most people can go back on herceptin...

Let me know if it would be useful to have a citation on this and I'll hunt something up.

Best,
Jeff

Hope, here is a link to a report on a study done by MD Anderson; some of the study patients were able to resume Herceptin with no problem. Hope this helps.

"TORONTO, ON -- September 15, 2004 -- Cardiotoxic events that occur as a result of treatment with the human monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) are largely reversible, according to a study from the MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, Texas"

Hope, unfortunately I am not able to answer your question as I am currently researching the same answers.

Prior to starting Herceptin in June of 2003, my muga scan reported a LVF of 78. Over the course of the 52 treatments and 3 additional muga scans, my numbers went to 68, 64, and 64. My last (and 5th) muga scan last month reported 62. I find this a little bothersome as obviously it is declining even though I've been off the Herceptin since June of this year.

I plan to address this on my 3 month follow-up visit to my oncologist in December.

I hope you are able to continue your treatments, although you've done very well making it through 10 months. It might be helpful to mention that I took 2 60 mg capsules daily of Coenzyme Q10 during my treatments and have not been taking them the last couple of months.

Best wishes to you.

Lolly,

Excellent link. I've printed it off to take to both my oncologist and my cardiologist.

Thanks so much, everyone.

Hope M.

That's been my understanding that if there are problems, they are usually reversible.

Good luck,
Janelle