Recycling chemos?

Anonymous

So I have been on pretty much every chemo, probably on my last option now. Has anyone ever talked to their MO about reusing an old chemo that maybe worked for a year or 2 before progression?

blainejennifer

Yes! Just had that discussion with my MO on Friday. While I still have some chemo left (not bloody many, though), if I don't get in to a good trial, he'd like to try a taxane again. I had weekly taxol about 6 years ago. He is also keen on trying Faslodex again, with Verzenio (sp?).

Personally, I need to talk to him about estrogen re-sensitization treatment, like they used to do in the old days.

I've been at this for six years now, and am now what they call "heavily pre-treated". I've gotten a year out of each chemo I have tried, but the only hormonal therapy that ever worked for me was Faslodex.

When we spoke of these maneuvers, he seemed to think that 4 years was a pretty good time chunk between old and new attempts.

What are you thinking of re-trying?

Anonymous

Well, my current MO isn't keen on the idea and she says it is not evidence based. I would like to retry xeloda. It gave me 2 years and my original MO had mentioned it as an option. It was several years ago. I might have to pay for it out of pocket, but if it works, I will try.

Celebrate_Life

I have retried several chemos. I did well with faslodex. 2 years the first time, 8 months the second. I did xeloda too. Not as successful, but gave me more months. I have done taxol. The way we were doing it, was when my TM went up 3 consecutive months, we would change drugs. Then at a later date we would go back to it. I can tell you it has helped me. Almost 10 years of continued treatment.

Therese

Daniel86

Have you talked to you doctor about trying chemos off label? I know some doctors might not be on board but it's worth mentioning if they are not willing to retry with past TXs.

pajim

My onc is on record (a talk he gave at SABCS two years ago) about re-trying hormonal therapy. He thinks after a few years the cancer would likely re-sensitize. We haven't discussed trying it yet as I'm only a year out from hormonal therapy plus I don't have biopsiable lesions. But in a couple of years I plan to try.

sandilee

I am recycling Faslodex that I took from 2011 through 2014. I am taking it with Verzenio. We hope that it will work again with the addition of the targeted therapy since it worked so well four years ago. Crossing my fingers.