Luminal B: Resistent to Hormonal Therapy?

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elise24601
elise24601 Member Posts: 155
edited December 2017 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I have seen some studies stating that Luminal B cancers (ER pos, grade 3, high ki67) are more likely to develop resistance to all forms of hormonal therapy.

Has anyone spoken to their oncologist about this issue, how to prevent it, and what to do if/once it happens? Sadly, luminal B are also more resistant to chemo as well. Any experiences with this? Here are links to some research:

http://breast-cancer-research.biomedcentral.com/ar...

http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/21/10/1848

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/njos/2014/390618/

I ask as someone who failed chemo and is moving on to OS + Al. I'm 32 years old and do NOT want to progress to stage 4. I am willing to endure horrific side effects, but ONLY if it means the treatment is effective at keeping the cancer away.

In other words, I don't want to suffer all the SEs unless I have a good chance of survival. All my oncologist can say is that it is "unpredictable."

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  • obsolete
    obsolete Member Posts: 466
    edited March 2017

    Elise, so sorry that you're having to deal with BC at such a young age ..it's so unfair. Chemo response & hormonal resistance are unfair. My oncologist had once stated that all "original" Luminal A & Luminal B BC receptors will eventually become lost, if or when BC matures and/or progresses. It's part of natural progression to lose original parent tumor receptors, my onc said. The goal is to focus on lengthy tumor dormancy, which dormancy can last years/decades, I had been told. It's the debate of "surrogate" end-points vs clinical end-points in medical studies (disease-free survival vs overall survival). I'm sorry that this doesn't directly answer your question, but just something else to consider. BC is a chronic disease. And I'm sorry you have your distinct Luminal B issues to contend with. Gentle hugs to you.

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited March 2017

    Elise - from the beginning my Onc said my cancer (ER+/grade 3) would be challenging and resistant. I did all the most agressive treatments and have done tamoxifen and now letrozole. I heard during my treatment that as grade 3 is should get a excellent response to chemo- i didn't get much response to AC, however Taxol did get me more. Coming out of chemo with cancer still in my breast and lymph nodes was scary - however my good news to you is i am approaching 5 years with no recurrence!

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited March 2017

    Elise, the problem is that there isn't a way to really tell if chemo or hormone therapy is working when tumor is not present. I have asked my oncologist he just says your tumor markers are steady and you have no cancer signs that is all we can do.

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited March 2017

    In these papers, there is good news, though, for those who are Luminal B ER+ only. Once we pass 5 years, our recurrence rate is lower than other ER+ cancers, Luminal A and ER+ with HER2+. This gives me more confidence on my decision to stop AIs after 5 years.

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  • windingshores
    windingshores Member Posts: 704
    edited March 2017

    My tumor was grade 3 and highish ki67%, ER+ and PR+. But my Oncotype was 8. I can't figure out if I am Luminal A or B. I also don't know if the low Oncotype means chemo was not needed or if chemo simply wouldn't work! Made it two years on Femara, hoping for three more then my oncologist says I will stop.

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  • GraceAK
    GraceAK Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2017

    Hi Everyone

    I too have Luminsl B identified by mamoprint.

    Went through 6 rounds of TC and mastectomy’s. I had 4 micro mats to one sentinel node. Had 3 of them light up. In surgery they came back clear and wasnt till path report that they were found I was told I didn’t need radio therapy till months after chemo and after many tumor boards throughout country there were conflicting opinions. I didn’t have support and where I lived it’s hard to stay somewhere when your broke from all of these tests. Plus I was in bad shape

    Lots of surgery complications followed. Like breast infection and botched pneumothorax from placement of port ( with 2 chest tubes and week hospital stay because tubing was twisted)

    I have no family support but 4 kids to raise. Husband isn’t there and yells at me telling me how I’m worthless (basically )

    So I had to be my own advocate

    Question

    My oncologist hasn’t done any blood test bone density test ( I was osteopenia before this ).

    They want me to research and haves list of questions sent ahead of next visit.

    From what I read, luminal b is resistant to chemo and endocrine therapy ? Why do it and take it. What can I do ?

    Thinking for going to a big center but don’t know where the best breast place is


    Please help



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  • Amelia01
    Amelia01 Member Posts: 266
    edited December 2017

    i thought to have read that luminal A does not respond to chemo.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/some-bc-types-dont-benefit-from-chemo


    Sending hugs to you Grace.

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited December 2017

    Doxie, I didn't know that. Finally, some good news being pr -, really negative. I am 6 years out with no sign of cancer.

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