As a self-confessed science numpty, I’m curious as to rationale behind just 1 year’s treatment.
Is it cost? Do our bodies just stop over-expressing the protein after a year?
From what I’ve read, I think it is a stab in the dark. They had to pick a time frame for trials but the trials are still in relatively early stages. There is an ongoing American trial (HERA) which is comparing one year with two years, also there is a UK trial (PERSEPHONE) which is comparing one year with six months. So presumably at some point the results of these trials will determine treatment.
There was a two-year arm of HERA, which was pretty much a trial that happened outside of the US. The results have been anticipated every since the 1 year results came out about three years ago, but they keep on getting pushed back, which is not a good sign for the two-year arm (although good for patients because the length of one-year of hospital treatment is wearing after a while). There are some promising results for herceptin only given for 9-12 weeks with taxanes, but the trials are small. In this case, more may not be better (just more MUGA scans).
i have just had my 7th herceptin and all is going well, Onc has given me an excellent prognosis 95% of it not returning, had 18mm grade 2 lump, no lymph node involvement, but i keep reading about how aggressive her2+ is and cant see how i have been given such a good outcome, am i worrying for nothing?
The thing to keep in mind is that there has been a great deal of progress in treatment. Her2 tends to be more aggressive, but they have also developed better ways of treating it.
Mine was grade 3 no lymph involvement, not sure about % but was told there is a very high chance it won’t return
Mary
x
Sarah,
Although Her2+ is very aggressive, taking herceptin puts it back on a level with Her2-, so by taking herceptin your prognosis should be as good as someone who is her2-.
I had first herceptin two weeks ago and so getting ready for dose No. 2. The onc muttered something about not protein affected. Does this mean I am HER2- and is this better than +?
I always think of questions to ask when it is too late. Sarah you seem to know about it, can you help?
Judka, why if you were HER2- would you be getting Herceptin?
xxx