Results due to Taxol vs Herceptin/ Perjeta?

[Stronger_Than-Cancer]

Hi Everyone! I was diagnosed de novo with MBC mets to liver. I am being treated in Canada (GTA). My current treatment is Herceptin, Perjeta and Taxol. I am starting round 5 & will continue only for a few more before they remove Taxol. I have been responding well. Recent CT shows anxilla nodes have resolved, significant decrease in breast tumor as well as size & number of leisons to liver. Given this I am wondering how much of this is due to Taxol vs Herceptin/Perjeta? Does anyone have any experience to share?

[Ursula_I]

Hello Stronger!

Welcome. It is good to hear you are responding so well to the treatment. I hope you are not suffering too many side effects.

I was diagnosed with MBC (not de novo) in August last year, with mets to liver, thymus, lung and bones.

I've recently finished six rounds of Docetaxel which is in the same family as Taxol I think. I have ongoing Phesgo injections (Herceptin + Perjeta) every three weeks.

The tumours in my liver decreased quite a lot and there was some reduction in the other soft tissue areas; but none in the bones. But there was also no progression.

When I asked why I couldn't carry on with the chemo for another round or two to see if we could get further reductions, the oncologist explained that with HER2+ cancer, it is the Herceptin and Perjeta that do most of the work/are most effective, rather than the chemo, because of the nature of the cancer. Sorry, I can't explain it any better! So to answer your question, it may well be the biological therapies that are working best for you, rather than the chemo.

Then, if you are following the same protocol as me, you will carry on with the Herceptin/Perjeta for as long as they keep the disease at bay. In my case I also have Zometa to help my bones but it sounds like you don't have any spread beyond the liver, which is brilliant.

Long may your treatment keep helping you! Your progress already sounds awesome!

Lucy

[Stronger_Than-Cancer in reply to Ursula_I]

Thank you for your response Lucy. This was quite helpful. I do hope the Zometa is helpful for you with the mets to the bones.

It is good to hear that Phesgo treatments can continue to reduce the tumors. My MO referred to Phesgo as a maintenance treatment but could or would not clarify if the tumors could potentially still reduce or if expectations should be to maintain current state only.

I am fortunate like yourself that we are responding to treatment. This I am thankful for everyday! However I do like to keep realistic optimization. I know I will never be cancer free. However it is helpful to understand what the potential could be moving forward.

Once again I appreciate your response and I too wish you the best in your treatments. Stay strong and hopeful!

Kim

[Hidden in reply to Stronger_Than-Cancer]

Are the Phesgo injections the same as herceptin & perjeta infusions ? Luann

[Ursula_I in reply to Hidden]

Hello Luann

It is my understanding that the Phesgo is a new way of administering the drugs - only approved in the UK last year. It is injected subcutaneously into the thigh rather than being infused via port or PICC line. It takes 8 minutes with only 15 minutes observation - much less onerous than the infusion.

Perhaps you could ask to switch.

Best wishes

Lucy

[Misshelley]

I started out on Taxol and responded well. Like you it reduced tumors. That was 2015. Since then I have been on Herceptin infusions every three weeks and I take Anastrozole every day with very little side effects. I just had my 107th infusion and am starting on my 7th year with this MBC that has spread to my lungs but I’m keeping a positive attitude and fighting as long as I’m able. Good luck on your journey!

[Bestbird]

The combination of Herceptin, Perjeta and a Taxane is the current worldwide gold standard for first line treatment for HER2 positive MBC. I would surmise that the reason for dropping the taxane after the requisite time is that the deleterious effects outweigh any incremental value of continuing. Remember that you, like most people with MBC, will likely remain on treatment for the rest of your life. Therefore, treatment-related toxicities could ultimately prevent patients such as yourself from taking full advantage of all of the treatments available to them over time. And Herceptin, which you will continue to take, is a very powerful and effective drug that's been a true game-changer.

[Norma1959]

I did the taxotere / Herceptin / perjeta regimen in 2019 . I had to stop the taxotere after 2 sessions as I had a bad reaction . I’ve continued on the Herceptin and perjeta and so far I am stable . I had one lesion on my spine and and got cyber knife to it and it’s now scelerotic (sp) .

[Staysha]

Hi. I was on Herceptin perjeta and taxotere. Then I just continued with iv herceptin perjeta. It continued to shrink my tumors. I had some radiation but the h p worked well for me for over 2 years. My cancer changed its receptors. Now I’m on herceptin Keytruda and abraxane. The herceptin perjeta combo is an easy treatment. I barely had any side effects. Hope it works well for you.

Stacy

[Stronger_Than-Cancer in reply to Staysha]

Hi Stacy- Thank you for your reply! This is encouraging news