Herceptin - Diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. How long do I stay on Herceptin?

Hi, Herceptin is the trade name for a monoclonal antibody with the generic name Trastuzumab. It acts on breast cancer cell surface structures called HER2/neu receptors. These receptors are overexpressed in about 20% of women with metastatic breast cancer. You have been on Herceptin and a bisphosphonate drug called Zoledronic acid (Zometa) for the past 7 years. Your question about how much longer should you continue on Herceptin does not have a clear-cut scientific answer. The reason is that Herceptin is a relatively new drug against breast cancer, and we do not yet have mature long-term data to exactly quantify the amount of benefit derived by administering this drug for differing time durations. This is in contrast to some other drugs which have been around for decades, and extensive clinical experience with them has lead to scientific recommendations about duration of therapy. For example, Tamoxifen is recommended for ER positive breast cancer for a period of 5 years. About the optimimal duration of treatment with Trastuzumab, most clinicians continue the drug indefinitely in patients who show response or those who are stable. Trastuzumab is well-tolerated (although it does have some risk of toxicity to the heart), and indefinite continuation is a reasonable option for you. Are you on a weekly schedule or a 3-weekly schedule of Herceptin? What chemotherapy did you initially recieve (in 2000)?

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