ISpy2 Clinical Trial - Neoadjuvant Chemo

LyndaMarie

I was diagnosed 1.5 weeks ago and will be having screening tests for ISpy2 Clinical Trial this week. Any thoughts regarding this trial and/or neoadjuvant chemo?

It is all new enough that my head is spinning-

Thanks- Lynda

Wabbit

I've never heard of this trial ... could you share some information about what kind of treatment it is?  I like the name of it ... ISpy ... which I'm sure stands for something other than the old TV secret agent show that came to mind when I saw it

I had neoadjuvant chemo to shrink my tumor further away from the chest wall.  I liked doing the chemo first.  It made it a little easier to put up with the side effects when I could physically feel the tumor getting smaller.  It also lets you see for sure that a particular chemo regime is working for you ... and if it's not doing anything they can stop it and try something else.  One thing they did for me that not everybody seems to do is that they did surgery to put in a port and do the SNB biopsy before the chemo so I could be staged correctly. 

I know this feels like you've been run over by a freight train right about now.  The time before you actually start treatment can be the worst time of all believe it or not.   (((hugs))) 

Best wishes to you!

kltb04

I have never heard of the trial either but I too am having neoadjuvant chemo. It was presented to me by my BS before we did any staging or MRI or knew my receptor statuses. I think it is being used more and more as the first step. I did have a SNB and various scans before chemo as well as a port installed. Just started chemo last week. I am really interested in others going through neo chemo as well since a lot of the people I have met on here aren't.

LyndaMarie

You can see more about the trial at ISpy2.org but this is what I understand so far:

All study participants get standard of care (SOC) neoadjuvant chemotherapy. 20% of participants get only SOC. 80% get SOC plus a trial agent.

I have screening this week that includes ECHO, MRI, PET, blood work and a second biopsy to get the biomarkers/genetic fingerprint (not sure if my terminology is 100% accurate here) of my tumor. All of that will confirm that I am or am not still a candidate for the trial.

The novel part of the study seems to be the adaptive nature. The trial agents are designed for BC's with specific biomarkers so, assuming I get a trial agent, the computer should assign one that is more likely to be effective on my tumor. As trial agents show success they are assigned more to similar tumors. If they do not show success the trial agent will get assigned less or be phased out of phase 2 trial. Of course, these are trial agents so the SE are less known but, in addition to the possibility of more advanced treatment, there is also the added benefit that the information gathered from me will be used to move BC research/treatment faster. I would also have more regular medical appts to monitor both health/SE and progress.

It is all a bit daunting but I am hopeful. My MO and BS are excellent. The trial is national and primarily at teaching institutions (MDAnderson, Mayo, various Univ. Hospitals). I would be working with the Univ. of MN Breast Center.

Trying to stay calm for the diagnostics this week. I have heard many people say this is the worst part...the waiting for the other shoe to drop phase. I am constantly reminding myself that the other shoe may never drop so stop worrying and enjoy myself while I still feel well. Chemo will be here soon enough.

LyndaMarie

Karri

It sounds like you are a couple weeks ahead of me. The trial screening happens this week and then chemo after that. I'll update as I know more.

Lynda

kltb04

Best of luck Lynda...I will keep this in my favorites so I can keep up with you   And definitely the diagnostics are the WORST.  I had an MRI, then a SNB (will you be having that since they are doing chemo first?  They took four of my nodes/one was postive blah, but like I said, treatment was the same), then a PET/CT combo, a head CT, and a MUGA scan of the heart.  None of the tests were painful or unbearable, its the WAITING!!!  All were clear/ok, there were issues on my PET but they were physiological (normal uptake in my ovary) at least that is what they said so that is what I am going with. 

LyndaMarie

Karri-

I met with BS today and he said that, after the Neoadjuvant Chemo, I will definitely need Mastectomy as the tumor is actually multiple tumors taking up about 6 cm. I am actually a bit relieved as it is a decision that I do not have to make. They were finally able to get a clear idea after the MRI. I had MUGA this morning and and have PET tomorrow and repeat biopsy Monday to see if I am a candidate for ISpy2. I suspect I will get the port the week after Easter and begin Chemo soon after. I think they said SNB would be with the mastectomy.

How is the chemo going? Hopefully well without too many SEs. I am hoping to work until summer (I teach at a University and want to finish this semester if I can) even after starting chemo.