New Herceptin like drugs,

I have just read my breastcancer.org that is sent to my email. Connie put it on for me. The new antibody being tested is called pertuzumab, or 2C4. The drug that has had the most testing is an agent that is a pill, and the class of drug is a kinase inhibitor. That drug is called lapatinib. There is data that it is effective in HER2-positive bc that has continued to grow despite Herceptin treatment. Clincal trials are evaluating it in combination with Herceptin, as well as other agents.

All hope is great, I think. Di

Thanks for the info Di! I agree w/ Stef. I miss out on the other drugs also. I am going to have an appt next Tues w/ my onco, so I will take this info and see what she has to say. I know that she and her husband (also an onco) have attended 2 cancer seminars in the past couple of months. She is usually pretty up-to-date on all of this. Thanks again!

Deb

First of all, Jackie, HI! I was just thinking about posting one of my Jackie are you out there notes. It is sooo good to hear from you and fantastic that you are posting good results. Hugs, from here!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I am truly thankful to the Lord for my 8 years. I was diagnosed in June of 1997. I thought living five years at that time would be good, but now I can't believe eight have gone by.

Well, we all have a lot in common. I am ER- and Her2 postitive. 3+ on one test and 4+ on the other. We have been unable to benefit from so many new things and the Herceptin hurt my heart and I was pulled off of that after only 5 times. At my last heart test, they said it was normal with the medicine. So I wonder what he would say if a doctor ever called him about my going back on it. Let's hope the new ones aren't so toxic. My good friend here is about at the end of hormone treatments and will go on herceptin next. I always share our information with her. She is so great. She used to be a regional superintendent and even when she was sick she was trying to help me with my disability.

Yes, Deb please ask your onc. I asked mine about the vaccine trial coming to STL and she said I would be first if I have the correct protein. It will probably be available in a year. I can't believe how soon these new ones are coming out. How wonderful. Thanks Jackie.

Love to all, Di

Hi twinpeakes,
It just means, that I am very highly her2 positive, almost a 4, I understand. The results were a lttle different on each test. I have lots of side effects, but I have had lots of things. My heart requires medication now, but they say it is fine with that. Yes, I am more tired than I used to be. My worst side effect is radiation damage and chemo brain. Hugs, Di