avastin clinical trial

sircom

Hi breast cancer sisters,

I was just diagnosed with stage II invasive ductal cancer (tumor activity grade III). And to add to the load of info I am trying to process, was offered the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial of Avastin (or bevacizumab), which would be administered along with the standard treatment. I have to decide ASAP whether to take part or not, as the pre-op chemo has to start immediately. I know that this drug has been used in more advanced breast cancers, which is why I'm posting here.

Here's my dilemma: Avastin has been shown to reduce tumor size in the short term and to stop short term survival rates in advanced cancers.But many studies have shown it doesn't really improve long term survival. If I do the trial it means an extra 7 months of chemo and while the side-effects don't seem to be drastic (except for a slight chance of heart damage!!), there are the usual fatigue etc. symptoms. I have two very small kids and am always tired anyway. Don't know if I could take an extra 7 months of drugs.

Has anyone here tried Avastin? Are the side effects bad? Do I take the risk? This could be the drug of the future...The docs have not been helpful in my decision-making.

Thanks,

Meg

Keryl

Look under Help me get through treatment index -- there is a thread (very long one) on avastin trial. I myself start chemo tomorrow and have agreed to be in the avastin trial.

My surgeries are done, other than final reconstruction phase to replace saline implant with silicone and lift other breast.

Treatment -- First, I will have 4 treatments of AC, every other week, then secondly, 12 weeks of Taxol weekly. Avastin runs concurrently,  unless I am placebo, which I wont know for months. If I am in arm C of the trial, yep, I will have the addtl. months of avastin, every three weeks.  That takes me to July. July! 

I dont have little kids, but do have teenager and work fulltime. I decided to go ahead because I want to leave no stone unturned. I think I am healthy and strong otherwise, so I think I can do it. I am going to work part time as much as I can.

My doc has been helpful in the sense that he has been reassuring about the minimal addtl. side effects. also that the next generation of cancer drugs will be of this nature and these studies mean a lot to that end. Lastly, he told me that if you have the side effects and believe it is from avastin, or decide to discontinue for whatever reason, can freely do that at a later date. While I know we dont want to start and stop, you can change your mind.

This will put my final phase of reconstruction on hold, but then again, not the most important thing. As I said, I start TOMORROW!