Letrozole + Ibrance failing after 3 1/2 years

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KristinB577
KristinB577 Member Posts: 9
edited August 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

My recent scans show some disease progression after 3 1/2 years on Letrozole and Ibrance. I know I'm lucky to have had it last this long. Having radiation on the growth in my hip bone right now but my doctor is switching me to Faslodex and told me to continue taking Ibrance.

Wondering if anyone else has taken faslodex after letrozole and also any side effects or what to expect. Obviously also worried that it won't work.

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  • Cure-ious
    Cure-ious Member Posts: 2,626
    edited August 2019

    Hi Kristin- I also had minor progression after 3.5 years- two spots were radiated last December. I added 200mg Celebrex to the I-F in March, hoping to boost my immune system (it helps expose the cancer to the immune system) and to block the growth of any PI3K mutant (endocrine-resistant) cells that might be trying to take over, given recent reports that PI3KCA mutant cancer cells are very sensitive to NSAIDs, but otherwise I did not change my meds. Since then I've had 2 clear scans and have now made it past the 4 year mark. Although progression is inevitable, I wanted you to know that its not necessarily imminent if the progression is minor and you are treating it. I did not change to Faslodex, although that is in the cards when I have more significant progression. I wonder if your onc would be willing to leave in the Femara and add Faslodex on top of that? The reason is that the Femara-Ibrance is still clearly working on most of your mets, and there is evidence that Femara and Faslodex together are more potent than using either one alone. I asked my doc about that, she said when the time comes we'll see what insurance will cover..Good luck!!

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited August 2019

    Kristin, I remember my first progression. It was the hardest of the several I've had so far. For some reason we convince ourselves that the cancer will never grow. Sigh. So many hugs to you whilst you get used to the idea.

    Faslodex is the usual second line therapy. It has a different mechanism [SERD} than letrozole [aromatase inhibitor] so yes, it should work. Faslodex is more like Tamoxifen Your mets have shown that they are sensitive to hormone treatment. Check in on the Faslodex Girls thread to get the tips on how to take it without pain. [FYI the SEs aren't any different than the ones you ave right now]

    And if they're going to radiate the progression of out existence you should be good for quite a while.

    I can't tell you about Faslodex after -- I took them all at the same time. It was before Ibrance was approved.

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