Herceptin - One Year Significance?

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Mocity
Mocity Member Posts: 451
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I am on a 12 week regimen of Taxol + Herceptin every week for 12 weeks.  Then I will switch to Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year.  I am curious why most people seem to take Herceptin for a year and stop?  That is what my Onc is recommending also and I am sure there is a reason.... I just don't know it.

Thanks, Cristl

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  • mary6204
    mary6204 Member Posts: 373
    edited December 2008

    I too am on Herceptin for a year.  I had it with my 6 chemo treatments and I've had 6 herceptin only treatments since.  I got the impression that the studies showed that good responses was showed with 17 total treatments, plus I heard insurance doesn't cover more than a year in most cases.  Not sure if that's all true, but that's what I've heard and it makes sense. 

    I am personally thankful that I can receive it, it's suppose to be a wonder drug.  Did you see the movie about it called "Living Proof"  I tivoed it in October and I'm saving it to watch later.  Suppose to be really good.  Mary

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  • lisettemac
    lisettemac Member Posts: 213
    edited December 2008

    I'm pretty sure it's because the research has shown that after a year, there isn't enough additional benefit to justify the risks (e.g., heart damage).

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  • Mocity
    Mocity Member Posts: 451
    edited December 2008

    Thanks all... just curious... I am actually getting Herceptin as I type.  I also dvr'd Living Proof.  I just haven't gotten the nerve to watch it.  I have been so emotional.  My mom died at 38 (in 1982) of breast cancer and I wonder if Herceptin would have helped her.  Who knows.  I just know it will be emotional to watch.  I am going to ask my Onc about the "year" when I meet with him too.

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  • coonie
    coonie Member Posts: 7,618
    edited December 2008

    I would be interested to know this too. I complete Herceptin in January.

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  • Chelee
    Chelee Member Posts: 513
    edited December 2008

    Cristi,  The "standard of care" for herceptin is one year.  That's all that's called for.  They were doing HERA study to see if a year of herceptin was better then the one year we get now.  That study kept getting pushed back and from what I hear its because there is no proof that additional herceptin pass the one year is any better.

    Many stage IV woman will remain on herceptin...and there are some stage III'er's that got extra herceptin infusions.  I'm a stage III'er that had positive nodes and I PUSHED really hard to get extra herceptin and was told "no" by my onc and my 2nd opinion oncologist.  Both told me its because there are no studies proving that staying on herceptin will add any benefits.

    Chelee

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