Chemotherapy for BRCA 1

SteveZecola

I am a support person for a metastatic BRCA1 patient.  Because she is also triple negative, she was given adjuvant ACT chemotherapy. The more I read, the more I realized that was a mistake.  She is now in a trial with a platinum derivative and a PARP inhibitor, and is doing well.

Based on my readings, I have filed a Petition at the FDA to curtail the use of ACT for BRCA1 patients.  I put out a press release describing it.  See: www.prweb.com/releases/2012/12/prweb10228646.htm

My findings were confirmed by a study conducted by the NIH and published in Nature, online September 23, 2012. Dr. Marisa Weiss is quoted in General Surgery New as seeing an immediate impact on treatment. However, many other doctors such as Deanna Attai are saying that these results shouldn't change clinical practice at this time.  

I think there is sufficient evidence for a change.  Unfortunately, the FDA's history suggests that it will not act.  I encourage you to read the Petition to the FDA and comment.  At a minimum, ask the FDA to publish all available raw data for BRCA1 patients that have and have not received ACT chemotherapy.