Herceptin used more than 1 year after chemo?
Meet the Experts
Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, dedicated to developing programs that improve the well-being of women treated for breast cancer.
Question from Bre: I was diagnosed with Stage I, grade 3 HER2 invasive ductal carcinoma before Herceptin was approved. Has anything been studied about using Herceptin 3 1/2 years after initial chemo?
- Answer —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.:
When the Herceptin study results were released for early stage disease, patients who had finished chemotherapy less than a year before were offered Herceptin. The overwhelming consensus of the medical community was that introducing Herceptin into patients who were more than a year out needed to be studied before it could be recommended. Herceptin is usually given with chemotherapy or shortly after chemotherapy is done. I'm not aware of any studies about reintroducing Herceptin in people who are further out.
On December 19, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from San Antonio 2007. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions and shared the newest research presented at this year's San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
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