Tykerb AND Herceptin

alw · 03-26-2007, 10:56 AM

Hello,

In an earlier post, it was mentioned that Dr Pegram at UCLA recommended combining Tykerb and Herceptin.

I was wondering if anyone else has gotten input from their doctors regarding combinig Herceptin and Tykerb? or if anyone has any thoughts on the value of the combination?

Regards,

Amy

Sherryg683 · 03-26-2007, 11:17 AM

My Oncologist said it was up to me if I wanted to use Tykerb now with the Herceptin I am taking or save it for later, if I needed it. I am currently NED and he says there's just not enough data in yet as whether it is beneficial to use the combo while there is no active disease. I just think that if I use the two now, it would make it harder for the cancer to come back and also protect my brain in the meantime. I just have a hard time sitting and waiting for the cancer to come back and then use it. But then, I don't want to get immune to it. I know they are doing trials of the two used together in early breast cancer. From reading the article in CURE, they are saying that the two combined will be the way to go in the future...just don't know if that applies if you have no active cancer showing...Anyone else have any answers? I meet with my Oncologist in two weeks and I am on the edge of asking him to go ahead and put me on it. I mean if I sit around and wait for it to come back and it comes back in my brain, then I will feel like I didn't do all that was possible to keep it away...sherryg683

Steph · 03-26-2007, 12:15 PM

I am on a herceptin and lapatinib trial. There were two arms to this trial one with just lapatinib and the other is lapatinib given with herceptin weekly. I am stage 4 with mets to my bone and a suspicious spot on liver. I have been on the herceptin and lapatinib arm of the trial since Aug.(I was randomized to this arm from the start) and my disease has stayed stable. I know that their hope is and they believe that they work better together. I also know that if you are randomized to just the lapatinib arm and you have progression of disease you are automatically switched to the herceptin/lapatinib arm. Talking with my Oncologists(I have a couple) they have all said and I have also read that there is hope your body may not become immune to lapatinib like it does herceptin in some woman. I get the feeling it is just the beginning of alot more to come( the way the Dr.'s talk). I hope this helps.

Steph

Rupali · 03-26-2007, 12:47 PM

Hi SHerry,

What edition of CURE magazine did this article come in.
Regards,
Rupali

Sherryg683 · 03-26-2007, 01:08 PM

Hi Rupali, It was the Spring Issue/Volume 5/2006 of CURE. It is actually an article about Herceptin but they talk about Tykerb being used with Herceptin and how in an early phase trial, they found it was very compatable together. How it provided a one/two punch against HER2. Steph, do they really think you may not become immune to Tykert..that is so promising. That is my fear of getting on it while NED, is that I may become immune to it. Do you have any links of where you have read this?..tks..sherryg683

Sandy H · 03-26-2007, 01:59 PM

I had two oncologist tell me they would think twice about putting them together as there is not enough data regarding toxicity to the heart. Looks like I will not get to use it that way. Guess, each doctor has a different school of thought on this. hugs, Sandy

Rupali · 03-26-2007, 02:02 PM

I was thinking what if I go on a maintenance dose of Herceptin, like once every 3 months and take TYkerb on a daily basis. This would but again be guided by the fact what is the life of Herceptin. I know on this board someone does a 3 monthly Herceptin maintenance dose. Does anyone know how long Herceptin remains active in the body.