Was wondering if anyone else has seen the recent news in the headlines about a New Breast Cancer drug called Perjeta? and its ability to significantly improve survival rates in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer patients ,My hospital has been doing trials on this drug ,and one of our oncologists did a radio broadcast about the findings , they are hopeing it will be Licenced in early 2013.
Good news hopefully for all HER2 Patients ,especialy for those with advanced desease. Lets hope when licenced that NICE will fund it.
On this news, you might like to read a statement from Emma Pennery, our Clinical Director at Breast Cancer Care
Commenting on the latest data from the Phase III CLEOPATRA study, presented on 8 December at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), which shows that Perjeta (pertuzumab) can prolong the lives of people with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer when used in combination with Herceptin and chemotherapy. Emma Pennery, Clinical Director at Breast Cancer Care, said:
Thanks for that Leah, Perjeta was licensed for use in the US in June this year. and hopefully UK patients could get it in early 2013 if the European Medicines Agency gives approval according to my hospital so fingers crossed. They said the benefits of Perjeta are more significant than the’ve seen in any other breast cancer trial for years. and it was found
to be so effective that patients participating in the clinical trials but not receiving the drug were given it as the results
were so clear.
Good to know that new drugs are on the horizon for BC!.
Linda x
Being HER2+, I saw this, and it’s really good to know that drugs like this are being developed, and will be available should I get secondaries.
I’m really looking forward to seeing the results now for the Aphinity trial.
Hopefully in time Sue Perjeta will become available for all HER2 patients, much like herceptin is now which at first was also only available for advanced cancer . im a HER2+ patient also ,so its good to hear that more advances are now being made for this agressive type of BC.
Linda x
I’m having Perjeta as part of Aphinity trial. This is for early BC. I felt quite positive reading that had been appoved for use. I hope it works for me
No Sue. As you know its still a trial but I really like the thought that I’m getting the real stuff. I’m not sure that I will ever find out if I was given the drug.
Ah Anne I see - I was told that if during the trial it became apparent that those women on it were doing better, then everyone on the trial would get the new drThan just feel lucky these new drugs are coming through for us!
A lot of us her2+ girls will be lucky to get the combo when Perjeta (pertuzumab) gets the go ahead. The cost is phenomenal with Perjeta exceeding even the cost of herceptin. With all the cutbacks going on I wonder if those of us with advanced bc will come higher on the list than those newly diagnosed with her2+. A thorny question!
Hi I am waiting to start on the Pherexa trial study which is possibly pertuzumab, herceptin and chemo this is quite new I think only 53 people are so far in the study. However there are 2 arms one with pertuzumab and the other without I was told I would be informed which I was on. Its great to hear that there are such good results because I was really nervous about starting assuming I even get it. Does anyone know how well it is tolerated? x
I am hoping to start perjets along with herceptin and taxotare after just being diagnosed with secondaries to my liver ,my onc has applied for funding ,in the meantime I will start on herceptin and taxotare .
Me too! I started weekly paclitaxeland3 wkly herceptin this wk for bone mets, onc is applying for perjeta which will be given with herceptin and switch to 3 wkly taxotere. My onc has told me to almost expect an initial refusal but not to panic as she can then apply to the ?Breast Cancer Drug fund. I have read that it can increase time toprogression from 12 months to 18 months…
I have to say i was hoping for way more than 12 months time to progression from herceptin especially as i know so many ladies here have done really well for ages more than that on this site so i am ignoring the figures and just believing in anything that offers extra time for the experts to come up with the next thing by the time i need that!!
My Onc was on our local news talking about the new licensing of Pertuzumab, and he said that ladies that would benefit from it should ask their Onc for it! This is such good news - and fingers crossed that the licensing for primary bc follows quickly!
especially as i know so many ladies here have done really well for ages more than that on this site so i am ignoring the figures and just believing in anything that offers extra time for the experts to come up with the next thing by the time i need that!!