This one almost slipped past me, except for the readers who e-mailed me to say "Hey--isn't that 'your' drug?"
Here's one article about the approval of T-DM1 to treat HER2-positive, late-stage breast cancer:
I've added more links below, and feel free to send along your own comments or links. This is an important drug.
Read about my battle to gain access to T-DM1 in a clinical trial here: T-DM1
Unfortunately, I had already been dropped from the trial because of disease progression before the drug was approved. Now, I don't know if it's worth asking my doctors about going back on T-DM1 as the better option of the treatments available to me .... I guess I'd better check in with Dr. Gralow.
The brand name is apparently Kadcyla--who can pronounce that?
Cad-SIGH-la? Cad-SILL-a? Cad-SEE-la?
Posted by: Liz | February 26, 2013 at 11:00 AM
To pronounce the drug name think GODZILLA, then say KADSILLA. I have the correct way from the Genentech folks.
Posted by: Steph | February 26, 2013 at 02:30 PM
Steph--thanks for the help in pronouncing this. But now--I'm afraid--I'm going to be calling it "Godzilla." Argh.
Posted by: Jeanne | February 26, 2013 at 04:45 PM
Dr. Lee says no Godzilla for me since I already "progressed" while on it. Sigh.
Posted by: Jeanne | February 27, 2013 at 09:02 AM
Jeanne - Sorry that was such a vivid immage - how to pronounce Kadcyla. But it worked for me, so I thought I would offer it up.
Also, sorry about no more of that drug. What about the other new HER blocker PERJETA? It is approved, so the doctor can use it as sees fit and not only as the FDA approved.
Posted by: Steph | February 27, 2013 at 10:03 PM
Hi, Jeanne. I'm thinking of you and wondering how you are. xoxo
Posted by: Liz | March 03, 2013 at 10:35 PM
You have been on my mind a lot the last several days and just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts. I am hoping that you are doing better since your last post.
Posted by: Debbie Kay | March 05, 2013 at 11:36 AM
Thinking of you Jeanne. Hope you are doing ok - hugs
Posted by: Jill | March 06, 2013 at 03:58 AM
Jeanne are you there? I miss you. Say something.
Posted by: Liz | March 10, 2013 at 05:48 PM
Liz--I'm here, but nothing much to say. Sorry.
Posted by: Jeanne | March 11, 2013 at 09:38 AM
Thinking of you as always and finally telling you.
Posted by: amy senk | March 11, 2013 at 09:53 PM
Thanks, Jeanne. Just saying "I'm here" speaks volumes. xoxoxo Liz
Posted by: Liz | March 12, 2013 at 08:17 PM