Hi
I was diagnosed with secondaries in my lungs and liver about 5 weeks ago and have one chemotheropy to date and am due another one on Wednesday. The chemo I am on is taxotere.
However I feel like I am in a bit of a dilemia, I have been reading about the trials that have been carried out with a combination of avastin and paclitaxel (taxotere) and that they have been very successful. Phase III of the trial that was carried out indicated that the time patients live without their disease advancing, as measured by progression-free survival was significantly improved than if just taking taxotere alone.
I am concerned now that if I take the taxotere at the moment then obviously if Avastin becomes available on the NHS (trials are being acrried out just now) that I will have missed the boat.
I am going to speak to my oncologist as I’m sure I’ve read on this site that there are certain hospitals carrying out these trials at the moment and am wondering if I should ask if I can be put forward for one, or another alternative is to change the chemo I’m getting at the moment so that the door is open for the future.
Trouble is I’m due to get my second taxotere on Wednesday and I am really unsure whether I should take it or not. I have no symtoms at the moment and would rather wait a week or two than maybe make a decision that could reduce the time I have free of cancer before it returns. Everything I have read refers to using acastin with paclitaxel drugs so once I’ve taxotere up I won’t have this option.
HELP, I don’t know what to do for the best.
Does anybody know what hospitals are doing these trials, how you get on them, if I’ve missed getting on them anyway etc etc?
May one of the nurses on the site could explain it to me, I’ve maybe got the wrong end of the stick!
Diane
Hi Diane
I too have secondaries (liver/lungs/eyes and bones). I was offered a trial at Southampton of sininitub/taxotare - sininitub works in much the same way as avastin. Unfortunately I developed a lung clot and was put on heparin injections which threw me off the trial. So I am just having taxotare (having 4 of 6 tomorrow).
I asked about Avastin as my private health insurers would fund this, but as on heparin was not allowed (at present my oncologist said). I believe that Southampton would offer avastin NHS anyway.
I would speak to your onc before the next chemo but I certainly would not delay your treatment, I have also read much really good info about taxotare too.
Good lucj
janxx
Hi Diane
I know that the Marsden has a trial of avastin and taxotere…not sure where else.
The research data on avastin is actually quite mixed and there was some controversy recently when the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in the US approved use of avastin for recurrent and metastatic breast cancer.
The trials so far show an imporvment in progresion free survival of 4-5 months, but as I understand it no improvement in disease related symptoms nor in overall survival. There have also been some unacceptable side effects (I think heart problems and deaths but can#t remember details.) I know that some women with triple negative disease in the US argue that these resaerch findings may not reflect what happens in triple negtaive disease and that avastin may be particularly helpful in triple negative breast cancer. But so far, personally, I don’t think avastin looks like anyone’s wonder drug for breast cancer.
With treatments changing all the time I think its always hard to know whether what we do at a particular moment in time is the best thing. I hope you can get some good advice…from your oncologist, from the BCC helpline or other cancer helplines.
best wishes
Jane
Thanks for your comments, it just seems to me that taxotere together with avastin shows better results than taxotere alone and that because of this most people with breast cancer who have private health care are getting that chemo offered to them. I know it doesn’t change your chance of survival, as such, but if it can give you a healthier, more positive outlook with the fact that you get double the time before it returns then I’m all for it. I really don’t know what to do about my next treatment, I need to sit down with my onc and get this explained to me but unfortunately she is on holiday.
I’m interested in your point regarding triple negative breast cancer as this is the type of cancer I have, if you have any websites or information on where you read that about I would really appreciate it.
Thanks
Diane
Hi Diane
i have just finished taxotere (doxcitaxel) on its own. i was hoping to receive taxotere plus avastin and discussed with with my onc, who feels and still feels despite the recent licensing that avastin is not a great thing. if it is any consolation he is convinced that taxotere on its own is a better option that taxol (paclitaxel ) plus avastin, and both of those are probably better than taxol on its own,
Its really difficult to know whats best, if its any help to you at all I came to the conclusion I was Ok with my oncs decsion for the following reason.
- taxotere is a really really strong chemo, alot stronger than taxol
- people getting taxol plus avastin are not living any longer
- there are potentially disastorous and fatal (ethough exceptional) side effects with avastin, if I am unlucky enough to have secondaries why shouldn’t this happen as well?!
anyway this just applies to me, and just wanted say I understand your problem, Idecided Iw as Ok with what my onc decided,
I hope you get some good advice etc and peace of mind on this subject, excuse all my terrible drug spellings (!!)
love
cathy
There are some people on this site appear to be getting taxotere along with avastin not taxol and the results seem to suggest that your cancer takes longer to return. However I have had one taxotere now and it would seem thats the way I will be continuing, I kind of wished I done a bit more research into trials etc before starting my treatment but your minds all over the place and your just glad to be getting something positive done to kick the cancers a**e.
Your quite right the side effects could have been bad, anyway not worth thinking about now it’s water under the bridge this time. I will certainly use this site to the full in the future and find out what different options are available to me and decide whether or not to question my onc a bit more. I’m sure my onc would have been able to put my mind at ease as you have done Cathy it’s just that she is on holiday this week.
I appreciate your comments, how did you find the taxotere, hoe many sessions did you need.
Hi again
I have had 6 taxotere, the first couple weren’t so bad, but the last two have been pretty hard going. So I managed it, but I wont pretend its easy…one relief is that sickness doesn’t seem to be a big issue with taxotere, if you have bone aches you can take painkillers. I have been working about three quarters time, so even though its been hard I have managed to continue my life,just did last one a week ago.
Do ask your onc her opinion on avastin, it seems there are really mixed feelings about this one and I would be curious to hear another oncs…dont be hard on yourself btw…avastin is not a miracle drug and it is not that readily available here, it seems to be trials or private treatment from someone involved in trials
take care
cathy
Hi Diane
You will find the Cancer Research UK site has some information about current trials, here is the link to the site:
cancerhelp.org.uk/trials/trials/default.asp
You are also welcome to call our specialist nurses on the helpline for more information, the number is 0808 800 6000 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Diane
I have been on Taxotere and Avastin in a trial at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. I had 5 Taxotere but had to stop as had anaphylaptic reaction, but I continued with the Avastin every 3 weeks for another 11 months. Its only now that I have shown further progression, which was a very good length of time. I had few side effects…some tiredness and nose probs.
Since dx with further progression I have now doubled the dose of Avastin and started Capecitabine chemo with it. Hopefully this will kick it into touch for a bit longer.
I feel the Avastin certainly helped me prolong progression free time …who knows if it will help me live longer but I am certainly up for trying!
Hope this helps
Hi, just jumping in here with my experiences. I am on the avastin/taxotere trial at the Marsden. Just going through my second cycle and it has been hard going. But I do it because of the longer time to progression and my desire to have as much “well time” as possible after this chemo.
The results of the trials show that there is quite a wide range when it comes to time to progression and in this case the medium is definitely not the message. About ten percent of women in previous trials are still stable after two years - I desperately hope to get into that ten percent. Other women dropped out pretty quickly, mainly due to severe side effects.
Yes, it is bad on hearts. It can cause heart failure and high blood pressure. But these problems have been found to be worse in older women, so, at 49, I balance the risks.
I notice that in the states avastin is being combined with other chemos, include xeloda, and I suspect this is the way things will go. So if you are not on avastin now, it is probably something that will be in your drugs cupboard later on.
Deirdre
From what I have read online, I thought that avastin was only licensed to be administered with paclitaxel vhemo such as taxotere or taxol, I have noticed the mention of Capecitabine and avastin being used in the comments above - is that a paclitaxel or have I misunderstood what the licensed.
Diane
Diane - I am very new to this. My onc. is literally on the phone to my insurance company now to secure avastin. He has said if the insurance company won’t pay he’ll try and get me onto a trial. One way or another he thinks it is a godd combination of drugs, Where have you been doing your research? I would like to read up more.
Geraldine
Hi
Avastin is licensed to be given with taxol which is paclitaxel in US and I think here.
There are trials with Taxotere plus avastin going on (i think they are called Athena trials at the marsden)
Doctors can prescribe without license if someone will pay, either the insurance company if private or NHS (not very likely)
Someone correct me if I am wrong!!
Cathy
Hi all
There is some information on this website about Avastin which may help clarify some of your queries, the following link will take you to the relevant page:
breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=10871
Hope this is helpful.
Best wishes
Lucy