Targeted Therapies

Everyone is different ... my doctors told me not to expect any noticeable side effects from herceptin, however, I do have them.
My exhaustion levels are still so high. At first the doc blamed recovery from other chemo, but at this point believes it's the herceptin causing it.
Also, for about 2-3 days after infusion I have flu-like symptoms (very achey and sore and more tired). And for about a week I get taxol-recall joint pain.
That said, my doctors have said this isn't common BUT I have reacted strongly to everything we've done so far and they theorize that my body is just hyper-sensitive. Chances are you aren't and won't deal with it, but I share on the off chance you do get side effects, you're not crazy or imagining it! Taking trastuzumab (herceptin) was no problem at all compared to the other drugs I was taking (carboplatin, taxotere). That said, the nurses told me that there were no side effects, but I was certain that I felt fatigue from the herceptin on the day of administration. After every infusion I strongly needed a nap before continuing on with my day. But I know other women who did not have this side effect.

I am guessing that you are asking how you develop a novel biomarkers or a new targeted therapy for breast cancer or inflammatory breast cancer.


There are several ways to approach this issues.

1. You collect large amoung of tissue and blood samples from breast cancer. Then you do a comprehensive analysis of genetic and protein changes (DNA, RNA, and protein). You link this data to a clinica data and find the one or them that can impact surveil or disease recurrence.

2. The other approach is discovery from basic research needs to be mined. And take their knowledge to apply by conducting a hypothesis oriented research. This means that you build up the puzzle one by one to prove the target is truly relevant in breast cancer.

Both approaches are important. Therefore, we do both and spend tremendous amount of time an money to come out with a strong scientific rationale before we can test this in human being. The problem we face is that there is not enough money and those who qualified to do this type of research.

Please asks me a more specific question. This may help me to answer this more accurately. I am guessing that you are asking how you develop a novel biomarkers or a new targeted therapy for breast cancer or inflammatory breast cancer.


There are several ways to approach this issues.

1. You collect large amoung of tissue and blood samples from breast cancer. Then you do a comprehensive analysis of genetic and protein changes (DNA, RNA, and protein). You link this data to a clinica data and find the one or them that can impact surveil or disease recurrence.

2. The other approach is discovery from basic research needs to be mined. And take their knowledge to apply by conducting a hypothesis oriented research. This means that you build up the puzzle one by one to prove the target is truly relevant in breast cancer.

Both approaches are important. Therefore, we do both and spend tremendous amount of time an money to come out with a strong scientific rationale before we can test this in human being. The problem we face is that there is not enough money and those who qualified to do this type of research.

Please asks me a more specific question. This may help me to answer this more accurately.