New Treatment Info

I wanted to let everyone know of the following new treatment info in case you weren't aware. Working in oncology I am lucky to get the magazines, journals, and newsletters of new info.

There was a recent stage III study done showing that gastric cancer patients whose tumor is HER2 positive show response to the drug Herceptin (typically used for breast cancer). Unfortunately, my sisters tested HER2 negative.

 Here is some info

http://www.elabs6.com/content/24791/April%202009/Trastuzumab

http://www.herceptin.net/portal/eipf/pb/herceptin/trastuzuma

Other good news...gastric cancers that test KRAS wild type show response to Erbitux.   My sister's tested as "wild type".

 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/126592.php

 http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v22/n44/full/1206749a.html

Don't ever give up and be sure to ask your doctors about these drugs.  Some of them may not even be aware of this new info so make sure they are open minded and ask them to research it.  My oncologist (one I work for and who treats my sis) is very cutting edge and big on research and the HER2 news was news to him and he was pleased that I brought it to his attention.

I hope you all benefit from the above info. 

Tracy

To Tracy,

     It is so wonderful you are doing everything for your sister.  Your sister is so lucky to have you.  It's great that are reading all these magazines and informing her oncologist with all the newest information.  I hope your sister truly beats her cancer.    Her beating the cancer would really give lots of people hope.  That would truly be wonderful.  And thanks for sharing.

Ivy