Target Medicine Changing from Ibrance to Vezernio

[BlessedHubby]

Hello, my wife was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer back in June of 2018. She had been in NED since Feb of 2019 but her cancer marker CA 27.29 had increased to 66 and 81 respectively for the past two blood tests. Her current medication is Ibrance + Letrozole and her oncologist would like to change it to Vezernio + Letrozole. Would like to hear about your experience and/or opinion. Thank you.

[BlessedHubby]

As added information, my wife had also received a CT scan on May 6th after learning about the first cancer marker increase (from 21 to 66). Her organs looked fine based on the CT report. That's why she did another blood work just to verify and found that the marker has become 81. That prompted the change of medication.

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear about your wife’s blood results.

I was diagnosed with MBC May 2019 and have been on Ibrance and Faslodex since then.

Aside from hair thinning, dry eyes, dry hair, dry skin, and one cracked tooth that had to be pulled, my scans have been good.

My markers went up 10 points to 43 last week. I’ve been taking Biotin 10,000 mcg for hair loss the last few weeks, after reading some posts I realized that Biotin interferes with lab results. I hope that’s the reason for the rise in marker levels. I will have a CT Scan tomorrow. Nervous and concerned about results.

Blessed Hubby, please keep us posted about your wife. Prayers for all of us!

[BlessedHubby in reply to Hidden]

Msheidi, thank you for your response and the encouragement. And thank you for sharing the information about Biotin that it could interfere with cancer marker results. Just curious, is your marker CA 27.29 as well?

Yes, we are all still alive by God's grace alone. We will be praying for you as well!

[Hidden in reply to BlessedHubby]

Hi BlessedHubby,My CA 27-29 went up to 44.7. Normal is 0.1-38.0. Had my CT scan with contrast yesterday. It’s always extremely painful because my veins are difficult to find. I’ll get results soon. In the meantime I will stop my biotin completely to avoid interference with cancer marker results.

[Susanita10]

I was just taken off Ibrance because it caused anemia and neutropenia. I’m still recovering. I’m on Faslodex. Once my blood levels increase we will decide which med I’ll be taking. I’ll send good thoughts and prayers to you and your wife.

[USIrishcolleen]

BlessedHubby,

My oncologist changed my treatment from Ibrance and Anastrozole to Verzenio and anastrozole, after a lumpectomy and radiation. I do not have MBC, but ran across these lovely and knowledgeable ladies, because I was on Ibrance and looking for support about being on it.

I take 150 of Verzenio, twice a day, and 1mg of anastrozole, once a day. My first delivery of a one month supply of Verzenio came with three 24 tablet packs of anti diarrhea , (over the counter medication.)

If you are wondering about side effects, diarrhea is the main, possible, side effect. I was anticipating a big problem with this side effect. I have been in this new medication since the beginning of March 2021, and the diarrhea was only a problem for the first 2-3 weeks.

Because the cancer was found in I e lymph node under my arm, my medical oncologist is trying to prevent distant cancer. I Shute hope that it works!

I’m not sure if I answered your question howeve.

Best,

Colleen

[USIrishcolleen]

That is 150 “mg” of Verzenio, twice a day.

[AimToHelp]

Hi BlessedHubby!

My wife was on Ibrance plus letrozole for over two years, but then there was some progression to the liver as shown on CT scans. She was switched to Verzenio plus *fulvestrant* (same as Faslodex) after her tumor tissue was sent for a gene profile. It's *very* important for you to know that women on letrozole (or any other aromatase inhibitor) will often develop a cancer cell mutation called ESR1, which makes aromatase inhibitors such as letrozole far less effective. I would strongly recommend that your wife get such a gene profile, which can now be done simply with a sample of her blood (liquid biopsy). Without such a test for ESR1, there would be considerable uncertainty about the continued effectiveness of letrozole.

Verzenio plus fulvestrant halted progression for a little over a year, but then there was again liver progression. My wife just began Xeloda.

Good luck from one loving husband to another. I do hope your wife gets a test for the ESR1 mutation.

[howsthis]

i've been on ibrance/letrozol since 2017 after my stage 4 mets diagnosis. my hair is thin, my skin and nails are kinda dry, i occasionally have mouth sores that i use Mary Magic Potion for (prescription), and have some fatigue from low white blood counts. i get full scans every six months and so far they've always been good. no new growth has shown up and there's been a wee bit of shrinkage in the existing growth. and i'm still here! however, each of us is different, so if your doc wants to change your meds, find out why. it may be specific in your case. ask lots of questions so you can understand. next week i have my 6 month full scans. wish me luck!

[SeattleMom]

HELLO! And bless you for reaching out on behalf of your wife.

Just for your information, I was on the Ibrance/Letrozole combo for 33 months following initial diagnosis of MBC in November 2017. After mild progression, my oncologist switched my treatment to monthly injections of Faslodex (one in each hip area) in August 2020. At that time, I inquired about Verzenio; and she recommended against it due to both the side effect of diarrhea and her opinion that the Faslodex was a better fit for me.

Your wife may want to discuss this line of treatment with her oncologist. So far, my tumor markers have stayed within an acceptable range. I have a PET scan scheduled at the end of this month so I'm hopeful that I can continue on the Faslodex. It is MUCH LESS debilitating than the Ibrance which tended to impact my white cell count.

Prayers and best wishes to both you and your wife!

Linda

[Evbr]

Hi, have you wife had a pet scan? Changing palbociclib without a solid evidence of progress is strange to me. My wife CA 15-3 varies from 74 to 94, but her doctor is sticky with palbociclib. Have a conversation with her oncologist. Best for you two! Eduardo