Herceptin for 1 yr. or 2 for early state?

Does any one know, based on the trials, how and when the lenth to recieve Herceptin after initial treatment with Taxol will be determined, and most importantly when? Is there any know eveidence leading to two years instead of one? To bring us into a "safer Zone" for minimizatin of reoccurrence perhaps? Was Hera the only trial with the two arm division?
And if so is there trial not complete in February 2006? Seems to me all chemo treatments had to have previously bee completed for this trial, so it won't be an effect measuring stick along with the us trials who used combination therapy protocol in all arms if I am correct. That's not to say that they thee together will not proide excellent information. Were there two year arms in the us trials? and if so to all of the above, when and how will they determine seperate date for these ladies as many, many of us will be entering the end of that first year, having begun now to come back for Herceptin, and we will need good solid answers as to whether we should stay on another year. My oncs office in Minneapolis is booming! Busyier than ever before in the infusion therapy department with women coming back in for herceptin, or better yet using it with Chemo in combination at the onset. By next March or April we are going to be getting quite ansy to know if a nother year would be beneficial.

Sure would appreciate any infor you highly informed folks have. People look at all of the articles etc. that I have in my files now and they are amazed. Where do you get all of that stuff, they ask? Primarily just from this message board and it 's links to others. I have learned so much I wish I had never had to know, but now that I do I am so grateful for you.
Thanks, Cheryl

What I meant to say about the Hera trials was isn't it the only one with a two year arm, not the only one with two arms. sorry.

Cheryl--

I asked my Onc about the 2 year arm today when I saw her-- I received my first Taxol + Herceptin dose today.

As I understand it, there is a European arm to the HERA study that has the participants on Herceptin for 2 years. At this time, there is no set date on which the results will be announced, but my Onc does not believe it will be before ASCO next May. There is a big conference in San Antonio this Fall, but she is doubtful it will be announced then.

I'm hoping that the 2 year #s will come out while I'm still on Herceptin and we can make the decision then.

Hope this helps.

Jen

Hi
I am on the 2 yr arm of the HERA trial recieving Herceptin over 2 yrs...i completed 1 full yr in May and have just under a yr to go.
I spoke with my onc about this and the reply i got was, 1 yr of Herceptin post chemo has reduced reccurance by 48%....over 2 years they "envision" the results will be even better as it gets you through the wonky 2 year period when cancer is most likley to recurr, fingers X'd he is right...i will let you know anymore information i get.