Has anyone else seen this at:
timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article6400852.ece
Olaparib has been trialled for genetic breast cancer. The results are encouraging, apparently.
X
S
Thanks for the link bahons2.
ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) is currently having a conference in Florida and there are several reports of trials using a group of drugs called PARP inhibitors, which inhibit an enzyme called PARP. As well as olaparid there have been positive findings on a similar drug code named BS1-201.
PARP inhibitors are thought to be a possible breakthrough in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. Most BRC1 cancers are triple negative (but not all triple negatives are BRCA1.)
There is quite a lot of hype about this class of drugs, and there are several trials going on or about to start at the Marsden.
I think there are grounds for cautious optimism here…it may be that PARP inhibtors are going to be most effective in preventing recurrence rather than treating metastatic disease. One trial of BS1-201 showed that median survival improved from 5.7 months to 9.2 months. I think there’s an important debate to be had about whether this improvment really is worth shouting about??? I simply don’t know.
I’m keeping an eye on the trials of PARP inhibitors as they are more or less my only treatment option left…and one which so far I’ve not pursued…but may do.
Jane
Hi Jane, all
Just a comment on this. The PARP inhibitor “business” was mentioned to me when at the Marsden last month. I have the BRCA1 mutation but am hormone postive, quite strongly so, but this could still be an option for me (if needed) in the future so I think it possibly doesn’t just apply to triple neg. patients.
I stand to be corrected of course!
Hi Dahlia
Yes you’re probably right…I focus on the triple neg. implications because my cancer is trip neg, but PARP may well be used for er+ cancer too…don’t really know!
Jane
Hello Ladies, I wanted some help my wife was diagonosed with triple negative breast cancer last July, lump removed no node involvement and chemo followed 3 fec and 10 taxol, plus 15 rads. On her annual checkup last week she has found lumps in the upper inside leg, tummy, shoulder and her head, all seem to be skin mets. Biopsy confirmed cancer, we completed CT Scan, Bone Scan and blood test on Friday, and seeing the oncalogist to discuss the findings and next actions. As you can I am absolutely drained, my wife is 38 and our daughter 3.5, having read through the research on the web BS1 - 201 could be a good next step, I just don’t know where and how I can get access to the trial for my wife, any ideas views welcomed, thanks.
Hi Attaria
So sorry to hear your wife has a recuurence.
I also have triple negative breast cancer with regional tumours and skin mets. I think that the trial you are referring to is a Phase 1 trial at the Marsden, a trial of a class of drugs known as PARP inhibitors. Usually I don’t think somone would be recommended for this trial until they had tried some of the other standard chemotherapy treatments. There are quit a lot of hmotheraopy drugs available: taxol, vinorelbine, xeloda, carboplatin,gemitibine. Avastin isalso a possibility though hard to get on NHS and haspoor trial results.
I hope you are able to have a good talk with your wife’s medical team about the best way forward now. If you are uncertain then it is certainly worth getting a second opinion from someone at the Marsden. You could also ring the BCC helpline for advice.
Best wishes
Jane
p
Hello Jane,
We saw the Oncalogist last night, the CT scan and bone Scans are clear, however, she has some lymp enlargement in the chest are, not the lungs. We are going to have rads to the chest, to reduce pressure from the lymp nodes and the Oncologist believes that the trial is a good way forward, however, was not sure if the trial had started or not and was writing to the Marsden this morning to get her on the trial, do you know if the Marsden is running the trial, and who the contacts are? Thanks
Hi Attaria
The Marsden always has several different trials going on, more starting, more finishing etc. I think most trials are done at the Marsden in Surrey. Maybe you could get a second opinion on your wife’s general treatment and at the same time find out about trials. I will pm you the name of the excellent consultant I have seen
best wishes
Jane
Hi Jane and Attaria,
Jane, So glad to see on other thread that you have been offered a alternative chemo via the Marsden hope all goes well with it, keep us posted.
Attaria, sorry to hear your wifes recent news, I too have had a recurrence and am triple neg.( age 33) so understand how you both are feeling. I had recurrant lump surgically removed from my reconstructed breast however soon after this had skin mets appear and following CT Scan shows involvement in chest wall and sternum.
I was offered clinical trial (Phase 1) at local hosp however decided against it as wanted to explore conventional chemo that I had not already recieved. I am currently recieving Taxol with no great response so far. It is very difficult to know what best option to go for so my advice to you both is to ask as may question regarding all your options and to get a second option as Jane has from the Marsden. I think that this is possibly were I will be heading next if things do not improve for myself.
Any further info or even if you just want to moan or chat then don’t hesitate to contact me, its always good to know that your not alone.
Best wishes to you both
Take Care Suzi x
HI Suzi
Sorry about your recurrence. Thanks for your commiserations.I’m a lot older than you (60). My triple negatve cancer is progressing much more slowly than expceted. I’ve gone through all the standard chemos. Not done a trial and am wary of doing one because of the commitment involved for not very much benefit. I’ve been through AC, taxotere (primary), xeloda, vinorelbine, carboplatin, gemzar, taxol and vinorelbine agian. Currently on caelyx (pegylated doxuribicin.) Chemos tend to ‘work’ for me for about 3 cycles and then fail as tumours keep growing.
I have no spread to major organs but substantial spread in neck, chest wall etc. My vocal chords are damaged and tumours are very near jugular vein so at risk of stroke…scary.
best wishes
Jane
Hi Jane,
We saw Dr Dobono yesterday and discussed the trial, however, the earliset Katy could get on the trial was 4 weeks out and therefore we decided to start the platinum based chemo straight away starting next week and go back to the trial (PARRP) at a later date if need be, she does not have any major organ involvement as yet and hence did not want to delay the treatment.