Peggy H

I just received yet another vaccine news story, here's an except: "The technology is aimed at a group of cancers that include lung cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer. These cancers are characterized by defects in the cellular, antigen presentation pathway, which results in the cancers becoming invisible to the immune system. . . GeneMax's lead technology increases the activity of the antigen presentation pathway thus providing sufficient information to the immune system to cause rejection and elimination of tumors from the body." Here's the web site with the full story: http://www.biospace.com/news_story.cfm? ... =1&print=1

Minnie - My sister had a severe allergic reaction (just as you described your mom's) the first time she had carbo/taxol. She started taking steroids the day BEFORE chemo, as well as with premeds WITH chemo time & never had another reaction. Hope your Mom does okay.

This article reports more promising indications for cancer immunotherapy: http://investor.biospace.com/Engine?Acc ... icker=GERN

Cell Genesys has been developing this vaccine for awhile - like other experimental treatments - for those that it's worked for - it's been a miracle! http://www.biospace.com/news_story.cfm? ... 120&full=1

Mary - My heart goes out to you and your sister. This is a terrifying time for all of you. My sister was diagnosed nearly two years ago also at the age of 47. Her first treatment was also taxol/carbo. It wasn't easy but she - one by one - addressed all the side effects, and arranged her chemo so that the worst day after treatment was on a Saturday. She missed no work at all & after she finished treatment was in remission for almost 8 months. Her cancer returned & she's been through lots more treatment but at this very moment she is OKAY & still at her job as a middle school teacher! So, hang in there! Learn all you can & ask lots of questions & DO NOT give up hope!

My younger sister was diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC Adenocarcinoma in April of 2001 at age 47. She was not a smoker - not that it matters. She is in her fourth chemo series, she always has some positive response to chemo but doesn't stabilize long. She's had: 1 - taxol & carboplatin 2 - taxotere & gemzar 3 - navelbine 4 - navelbine & carboplatin (currently) She also had mets to the brain, treated with gamma knife surgery (a true miracle of modern medicine) followed by one month of whole brain radiation. No recurrence going on 18 months. Expanded access program for Iressa was a disaster. She's been told more than once to get her affairs in order. Last November she was told the spread was so extensive she should immediately make arrangements for her children. She has had more medical & physical complications than I care to remember. Her current chemo significantly reduced tumor # & size. She is a single mom with 2 little girls & currently working FULL TIME as a middle school teacher! I am always searching for new, non-toxic, targeted therapies, which is where I think our advocacy should focus. I don't believe that poison is the long term solution for lung cancer. There are just so few options available now, it is very frustrating. I feel that effective treatment for LC as a chronic disease is just around the corner, just down the road . . . I get my best information from stock market sites, especially those that report on biotechnology companies. They seem to be the first with news of new drugs & clinical trials. Much, much, better & more current information than NCI site or other "official" cancer sites. Here's my favorite: http://www.biospace.com/ just go there and do a search for "lung cancer." You have to wade through the information on CEOs & quarterly reports, but the drug information is fabulous. Plus, you get links directly to drug companies. I've frequently called drug companies directly to ask about new drugs & clincial trials. They are usually very responsive. This is a wonderful site. My sister has actively resisted any support group-type association, but I'm going to see if I can get her here. I so want her to know that 1. There is hope, and 2. She is not the only one. Thanks.[/i]