Abraxane question.......

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sftfemme65
sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Abraxane question.......
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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited February 2008

    Does anyone take Abraxane?  I went to a Breast Cancer info session tonight and the Oncologist that was there said that this drug has double the effectiveness compare to taxol.  I see this as an issue for me since I'm due to start taxol in 3 weeks.  Also just a heads up there is a new thing called Mamaprint....hasn't been FDA approved yet but they say it will.  It is suppose to be more accurate than the oncotype.  Well I see my oncologist monday and we will be discussing the whole taxol thing for sure.   Teresa

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  • jeanne46
    jeanne46 Member Posts: 1,941
    edited February 2008

    Abraxane (nab paclitaxel) is a taxol that is protein-bound - which also means it doesn't require pre-meds with steroids when infused. (Non protein bound taxol is called paclitaxel). To my knowledge, it is rarely used as a first line treatment - usually taxol or taxotere is the drug of preference. All three can cause hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, and the other usual suspects. If you are being treated for the first time, I would imagine you would get either taxol or taxotere. I've not seen any studies that evidence abraxane as twice as effective as taxol. It usually easier to tolerate because of the lack of steroid issue.



    Good luck to you in your treatment. If you find out any more about the abraxane studies, let us know.

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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited February 2008

    Jeanne,

    thanks for answering.  I guess the doctor said they are doing studies with it being used upfront.  I will try to get more info on monday and post again about it.  Yea, I'm not looking forward to using the steriods but I guess my onc doesn't premed the day before only the day of treatment on weekly taxol.  the steriods I'm taking now for 3 days is giving me major mood swings....its making everyone run and hide from me during that time lol.

    Teresa

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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited February 2008

    I would push for the Abraxane. It is a superior agent to the other taxanes.

    I recently just completed chemo and I had Abraxane instead of Taxol and I feel wonderful knowing how much better it works.

    PLUS the Abraxane infusion requires NO premedication and takes only 30 minutes.

    Taxol can be three to four hourse long because of all the premeds you need to keep you from getting an allergic reaction to the detergent they dissolve it in that most people get a reaction from.

    Also, if you are Tripleneg, it has an even greater effectiveness.

    Good luck!

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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited February 2008

    Yea, I think it would be wise too.  The only issue is I'm on a trial.  I am taking Avastin.  The trial calls for Taxol and I think that I will be pulled from the trial if they change me.  Such a tough choice.  I just will have to wait to til monday and get as much info as I can before then

    Teresa

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  • jeanne46
    jeanne46 Member Posts: 1,941
    edited February 2008

    Teresa,

    I know what you mean about the mood swings. I was taking another drug that required pre-med with a steroid, and the day of the infusion my husband used to run whenever I entered the same room. I was like a mad lady, furiously cleaning things up and having zero patience. It was hard to sleep that first night, too. Don't know how those athletes do it! LOL

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  • kris2386
    kris2386 Member Posts: 56
    edited February 2008

    My mom is on abraxane/gemzar.  She has had 6 rounds of 2 weeks on/1 week off.  This is her first line treatment for mets, she originally had stage 2, 7 years ago, er/pr +, now triple negative.  She is tolerating it very well considering.  This last cycle she got only abraxane and found without the steriods before chemo she was very tired the day of and the day after treatment, then she says she really feels pretty good.  She has no hair left but doesn't experience any other side effects, doesn't take anything for nausea except the aloxi before chemo. 

    As far as effectiveness her scan at the beginning of January showed about a 1cm increase in the size of the 2 liver mets but much improvement in her lung and bones. She started treatment in Nov 07.  Does it just take a little time to get these lesions to stop growing?  I am hoping there won't be anymore growth.   PET scan showed cancer cell activity in the liver as stable.  She is having another scan next week. 

    On behalf of my mom, I say push for the abraxane too.

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  • carolynf
    carolynf Member Posts: 262
    edited February 2008

    Terersa,

    I talked to my onc about abraxene and I guess one of the down falls is the cost  which goes w/your insurance carrier.  They aren't using it like taxol or taxotere which costs a lot less.   Wars between insurance and new drug companies. One doesn't want to pay the other if there is something out there that they say works.  That's my take on it.  I just found out today that the FDA approved Avastin for bc.  So, what will the cost to the insurance companies be. Kinda like Neulasta shot at $12,500 a shot!  there's my 3 cents!

    Carolyn 

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