Tarceva And Scan Results

Have read several post stating they would be having their first scans in June after starting Tarceva. Please use this thread to post your results and other can see the results at one place on the board. My scans will be June 7.

My 80 year old mom was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in November...she had plural effusion and was in real bad shape...she started taking Tarceva as her first line treatment and she is doing great...she had her first set of scans about a month ago and things look good the fluid is gone and she is off the oxegyn and able to be out and about. The doc told her that he didnt think she would of made it to March..she has and amazing attitude...I am interested in the fact that they say it stops working after awhile...your body build resittence to it...I dont want to look a gift horse in the mouth but you get in a good place and are afraid to get to comfortable...Joanne

Hi Joanne, My mom is 81 and has nonsmall cell lung cancer stage IIIb at the time it was discovered. They found hers due to a malignant pleural effusion this was in July 2004. She had 4 rounds of Taxol/carboplatin chemo but the effects did not last long and in December started Iressa and was switched to Tarceva the next month. Her CT two months later showed major improvement and she is out living her life again, even going to work two mornings a week! She gets another CT end of next week so I will post the results to share when I learn what they are as it helps so much to hear others stories. As for the Tarceva eventually not working that is what they say along with saying that nonsmoking females tend to get the best benefit from the drug. I have read some papers on this and in some cases they found that some people develop a mutation in the gene that then prevents the Tarceva from working and in some of the others they are still unsure why it stopped working as that specific mutation was not present. As to how long it works is anyones guess as for some only months and others are past a year now. I actually heard about a man that has been on Iressa for 2 years now and it is still working and it did not do as well in clinical trials as tarceva. I also think that since the only people that have been on it long are the people that started on it during clinical trials that there are still alot of unanswered questions as to how long it can continue to work. I think in many ways our mothers are the pioneers in lung cancer journey that involves Tarceva. At this point in time it is not considered a cure but I am so very greatful it has given my mom a quality life back forever how long as I do not think she would be alive today if she had not started taking it. Best luck to your mom, her story sounds so familiar to me! Janmarie

Wow...theses two ladies are very similar...my mom had the plueral effussion also...it is so good to see her having some quality to her life...we will have to keep chating...I agree that this drug is a major breakthrough...thanks for getting back to me.

Well we had some not so good news My mom's recent CT (Started Iressa in Dec.04 changed to Tarceva Jan 05) was not positive like her CT 2 months ago. This last ones shows some slight growth in a liver met. But the lung is stable. I was unable to go to her Dr.'s appointment with her so do not know exaclty what was said. He did tell her he thinks the Tarceva may no longer be working and that she needs to think about chemo again and offered her two choices Alimta or a combo of Taxotere and Avastin. Mom feels great right now so is not really interested in more chemo at the moment and since in cases like hers it is often given to relieve symptoms which she has none at this time I question as to if it is necessary at this point? She was off the Tarceva for 1.5 weeks due to an allergic reaction that turned out not to be to the Tarceva so I am wondering if the growth could have occured during that time? Right now she is still on the Tarceva and I am wondering if she can stay on it for now and have another CT in 6-8wks and see if indeed things are progressing. Also wondering if the only growth is a liver met if the cyberknife could be used to zap it? So many questions on my mind but my mom seems to not be too worried, being that she feels the best she has in a long time she plans to enjoy the time and I can not say that I blame her on that one. Since we are all learning together I will keep you posted on what we learn.
Best wishes to all, JanMarie

June 13 was the day I got my results from my first scan since beginning Tarceva 90 days ago. I did not have any shrinkage but I did not have any growth of the tumors either. My next scan will be in four months.

Volsfan

I have recently been diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC. I have been taking Tarceva since 5/19/05 and just had my "re-staging" this past week (7/1/05). My doctor said that my lung tumor has shrunk approximately 10%! YEAH! I am in that group where Tarceva is suppose to work really well - female, youngish (36 yrs. old), non-smoker with EGFR mutation.

With regards to the 2nd mutation, there is a clinical trial currently in progress for an irreversable EGRF blocker - see web site:
http://www.massgeneral.org/pubaffairs/issues2005/052005Haber

My doctor said this clinical trial is only in Stage 2, but it is evidently a drug that they were actively researching, but abandoned testing once Tarceva came along. Now they are looking at this drug again to stop the 2nd mutations - so there is HOPE!

I am 68 dianosed 3b lung cancr plus plural enfusion July 2005. Had chemo and Tarceva from the start. After 4 cycles no cancer no fluid just scar tissue. Praise the Lord 100% remission. Changed my diet and sdded new supplements.
Ermie

Hi,

I started on Tarceva in December. The February scan showed significant shrinkage. In the April scan they termed the tumor "a near disappearance." I have bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma, Stage IV, which appears diffuse rather than in a solid mass. I just want answers on how long I can expect the Tarceva to work and when the new drugs will be come available.

Tina

On 5/15/2006 Tinamichelle wrote:

Hi, I started on Tarceva in December. The February scan showed significant shrinkage. In the April scan they termed the tumor "a near disappearance." I have bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma, Stage IV, which appears diffuse rather than in a solid mass. I just want answers on how long I can expect the Tarceva to work and when the new drugs will be come available. Tina