Possibility of secondary mutation ?

[CCheng8346]

Hi my sister starts Iressa this month a supply of 15 pills for now. Just curious if this medication to be taken indefinitely even if the tumor shrink and gone. What is the possibility of secondary mutation ( she is EGFR positive with Exon 19 deletion )

[pollyalison]

Hi,

I was on Irressa and egfr positive. After a while it stops working as the mutation remutates. With me it was 18 months, my friend took it for four years. She will then be tested for T790M mutation and if positives would I think go on to Tagrisso which I am on now. Good luck

Alison x

[CCheng8346 in reply to pollyalison]

Thank you for the information. . Hope many blessing comes to you

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear CCheng8346

Your sister will be assessed with scans as time goes on with her treatment of Iressa. The specialist care team will review this as time goes on, and treatment options may change if there is a good response. Even if a different mutation is present, there are other medications that may be able to target these.

The following link from cancer research UK provides some information on immunotherapy:

cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

If you wish to discuss anything you can call us on our free nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[CCheng8346]

My sister is located in the Philippines. They don’t have retirement insurance or health insurance to fund for her medication ( which cost $60/ pills of Iressa) . Does the manufacturer of Irresa provided any copay or financial aid internationally? I appreciate if anyone can direct me for this life saving drugs discounted or free.