Hi,
I’m pleased adjuvant Abemaciclib is given for no longer than 2 years as it hasn’t been an easy journey. Another CDK 4&6 inhibitor (?Ribociclib) was trialed prior to Abemaciclib with the aim of reducing recurrence. This drug was given for one year and it showed no benefit in reducing recurrence. Abemaciclib continuously given for 2 years has shown benefit - Monarch E trial. From my understanding it stops the progression of cancer cells from moving from one stage to the next, hence they are killed off. I guess they hope all cells are killed off by giving the treatment for 2 years.
Prior to commencing Abemaciclib I was anxious, but some of us cope ok on this medication, for others the treatment is difficult. When you start Abemaciclib you are closely monitored and most oncologist will start you on 150mgs twice a day. There is the option to reduce your dose if the side effects cause adverse reactions.
I have found eating fatty foods increases episodes of diarrhoea. I do take loperamide a couple of times a week but I am leading a normal life. I need more sleep and my energy levels have decreased however if this drug stops recurrence I feel lucky to have been offered it. I wish you well on your continuing treatment.
Thanks so much for your advice! And yes I too feel fortunate to have got this drug as never want to hear the R word again. Fingers crossed!
Hi!
I was in your same boat. I’m in the US and I’m always concerned that doctors are pushing drugs for personal benefit, especially since my onc was involved in the monarch study for Verzinio.
I am hr+/her2- stage 1 (no nodes) and high risk for return due to grade 3. I had adjuvant chemo (4 rounds), doing Lupron 4 shots to push me into menopause (I’m 44), and taking arimidex and verzinio. I was terrified to take all these drugs, but after reading up on Verzinio, I felt a little more at ease that it’s targeting certain cells. In the US we also have Signatera, a blood draw that can detect if the DNA from your tumor is in your body. It’s close to 99% accurate and has worked on a friend of mine when they found out her cancer metastasized. It’s new and the UK is rolling out something similar.
Lastly, a UCLA report just found that Manuka honey taken with tamoxifen might reduce breast cancer cells. Just throwing this out there for anyone interested and to hopefully ease a mind or two that developments are happening and there is hope.
Hi @gina3
I looked into the signatera test which sounds v interesting. Can I ask if it’s positive what can they do that they are not doing already?
How often would you have to do the tests as I understand they only tell if they have dna in the blood at that point but not in the future?
Thank you
Hi!
So the benefit is finding metastases sooner than later. Without a blood draw, there’s no other way to detect metastasis other than lots of scans or physical symptoms which by then, it might be too late. You do a blood draw every 3 months (I believe for 5 years), then less often after that. If DNA is detected, your onc will likely require a scan to locate it, then start another treatment plan. It’s worth calling them if you have any questions. They were very helpful over the phone.
Hi Gina
That’s very interesting. My oncologist mentioned a CTC blood test (circulating tumor cells). It sounds very similar.
She didn’t think it was available through our NHS system, but could be sourced privately. Something which I am going to look into probably in the new year when my treatment has finished.
It would be interesting to hear from anyone in the UK that’s had the test.
Best wishes to all x
Great thank you I am going to look into it too. Scary void on preventing a recurrence and this might fill this gap.
Sorry you are going through this. I had chemo after surgery, it was in 4 out of 9 nodes in my arm pit. All scans pre surgery etc were clear. I was told, radiotherapy and then a pill for 10 years. After surgery, chemo was mentioned to me as if it was a given but they hadn’t discussed it with me at all! I eventually agreed to have it cos felt it would help clear up any stray cells that wouldn’t show up on scans. I then thought, why do I need radiotherapy- surely the chemo would be enough. I was speaking to a radiologist on the phone, saying I didn’t understand the need for both. She then said - with a tumour as nasty as yours! Noone had ever said it was particularly bad! I felt awful! I still didn’t see the need but went ahead with it anyway. Then came the we want you to start this drug abemaciclib. Obviously I read all the side effects, I work as a postie for royal mail so the thought of having diarrhea was not good! I was so upset with them. I had a phone call with the oncologist and got quite upset. At every turn, I felt I was finished with all the body battering treatment then wham! Here have this. I totally get where you are coming from! I did decide to go with it and have been on it for a year now, with not too many problems. I think it’s terrible how they don’t sit you down and run through everything, especially when things change. They can’t expect you to just take it in and accept it. When I was getting upset on the phone, the oncologist said she felt I would benefit from counselling but all I wanted was them to tell me everything with all the facts at the beginning and not spring all these things on me. I was so upset. As others have said though, if it doesn’t agree with you, the dose can be lowered and it doesn’t actually decrease it’s effectiveness. It’s got something to do with how your body metabolises the drug. Something I found out through a support group on fb and not one of the doctors. Good luck x