Mrs Carol W
I'd be interested to hear how many of you got Herceptin for early stage BC either before or after it came on the PBS about October 06. I was one of my oncologists first PBS patients.
Carol
Forum Discussion
Hi all, in 2009 I was invited to participate in a clinical trial (ALTTO Trial)which is investigating the effectiveness of lapatinib (tykerb) versus herceptin for HER-2 cancer. Is anyone else on the trial? I was randomised to the lapatinib only arm of the trial (arms were- hercpetin only, lapatinib only, or herceptin for 6 months and lapatinib for 6 months). I finished taking lapatinib in April 2010. Lapatinib is an oral drug that has been proven to be as effective as herceptin for HER2 cancer, but apparently with much less side effects, especially as far as the heart goes (ie: it is supposed to be much kinder to the heart which is one of the main reasons why it is being pursued as an alternative to herceptin) . I took lapatinib for one year and so far all my heart functioning tests are excellent! I was so pleased to be able to just take tablets at home without having to go to the hospital for herceptin. Just wondering if anyone else is on the trial....I am yet to find anyone else who is!
Cheers, Celeste