taraceva and smoking history

My mom was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (recurrent) of the right lung which has spread to the pleura. She had surgery 1 1/2 years ago, and surgery is not an option. We were told that taraceva would not be effective since my mom had a past history of heavy smoking. Does anyone have any information on the relationship between taraceva and smoking? Radiation is out of the question and chemo was not recommended.

Hi,

My mom was recently diagnosed with Stage IV adenocarcinoma which had also spread to her pleura. I really do not know about Tarceva but they started my mom on a clinical trial (research drug) by mouth, but I am not sure if it is for recurrent? This is her first treatment, but two different oncologist recommended chemo. Do you know why they did not recommend chemotherapy?

 

On 4/3/2009 jpederjr wrote:

My mom was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (recurrent) of the right lung which has spread to the pleura. She had surgery 1 1/2 years ago, and surgery is not an option. We were told that taraceva would not be effective since my mom had a past history of heavy smoking. Does anyone have any information on the relationship between taraceva and smoking? Radiation is out of the question and chemo was not recommended.

 

HI,

I believe that non-smokers do have a better chance of success with Tarceva, but I know there have been some smokers on this board who did have luck with it.  When my mother's cancer returned after her lobectomy, she took part in a study through Dana Farber using Tarceva as a first line of treatment.  She had been a smoker for many years (at least fifty!), but had not been smoking for at least five years before her diagnosis.  Unfortunately, it did not work for her, but it was worth a shot.  I believe there is a certain gene mutation that some people have--- Tarceva works the best for that group.  Good luck to you and your mom.  I know first hand how diffiicult this is--     Roz