bunny Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 So Suki's onc has stopped her Tarceva for no other reason than she has been on it for 2 years and they 'have no data' for patients on it longer than that. I asked the question on onctalk but didn't get a response (or I don't know how to find it! ). Has anyone else heard of this? We're seeing the doc for her 6-month check next week so I will ask him, too, but I wondered whether anyone else has heard of this. She's been NED since her surgery in June 2005 and Tarceva is the only drug she's recieved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mary colleen Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Bunny, I logged into Onctalk to see if I could find the response for you, but couldn't find your post. Did you use the same screen name as here? Since Dr. West always seems to respond quickly, I am wondering if your post didn't go through. As of 12/13 he has a message up about mailing errors someone was getting and provided an alternate address: West@cancergrace.org. I think he is the best person to answer your question, so I'd love to see you get it to him. I'd try again. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Hi, Bunster, I just care. I have no answers but I kno you will search out the best info for Suki. Love Love and hugs Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I seem to remember a discussion on OncTalk about that several months ago. As I recall, there was no clear data pro or con, but Dr. West thought it made sense to back off the Tarceva before the cancer has become resistant to it -- save it for when it's definitely needed. There was a technical discussion about a particular gene or factor or process or something... If this discussion doesn't show up when doing a search for tarceva, it might have been attached to one of his "Posts" (which are listed in the "Subject Archives" and "Monthly Archives" sections). I believe the OncTalk search feature currently covers the "Q&A/Discussion Forums" only, not the Subject Archives and Monthly Archives posts. A Google search can be configured to limit the results to a specific site, for example: site:onctalk.com tarceva and this DOES cover the posts in the archives. When I get some free time later today I'll see what I can come up with. A couple of years down the road I might be asking the same question (hopefully ). Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted December 18, 2007 Author Share Posted December 18, 2007 thanks. I reposted on onctalk before I saw this, but what you say makes sense. I'll head back over there and see what Dr. West has to say. it struck me as a 'if ain't broke don't fix it' scenario. thanks again for your responses, all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 I know with my dad the onc wants to wait to put him on Tarceva for when he really needs it. As for my mom, she started it but the onc felt side effects were too severe and she stopped. Like Suki, she was on it when NED to help keep her there. He nver mentioned how long she would have been kept on it. I do know he said there was not much data on whether it makes an impact on those NED. Hope the baby is well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 Bunny: I saw your question and Dr. West's response in OncTalk just now. Here's the older article that I was thinking of: http://onctalk.com/2007/01/18/duration- ... ine-chemo/ Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Bunny, I hope you let us know what they decide to do with your mom after her doc appt. Thanks Ned for posting the old writing from Dr. West. I have been on Tarceva for 22 months, and was also on Iressa 8 months. So far, My doc is keeping me on Tarceva until the side effects get to severe or progression. I wish only continued good health to Suki, Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted December 19, 2007 Author Share Posted December 19, 2007 Wendy, they've actually already stopped the Tarceva. her last Rx finished in Sept. and they told her not to refill. So this week we'll get to ask more questions, but she's already off it - which may be why I feel a little squirrely-er than usual going into this appointment. Thanks, everyone, for responses. In a nutshell, Dr. West said the concept behind stopping Tarceva is to avoid having the cancer become resistant to it. I guess, in theory, if she has growth they could start her on it again. She has had no sign of disease since her first post-surgery scan in 2005 (surgery in June, scan in Sept.) so we're essentially talking about proving a negative here. Ack. My head hurts. LOL I will keep you all posted, for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat127 Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 you have to remember that tarceva hasn't been on the market for very long, i think it was approved in 2004. so there is still a lot that isn't known about it, unfortunately. there are a lof of people looking at various things with it, but a lot of unanswered questions so far. though i'm sure that doesn't help with the anxiety you are feeling. not sure how to get rid of that, but i sure wish we all could find a way to ease the anxiety. i hope you are feeling better after hearing from dr. west. best of luck and i'll keep you all in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 Hi Amie: I think it makes sense to go off the tarceva after 2 years what with what Dr. West said all. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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