HER2+ BC developments, Cannabis, Vitamin D, Immunotherapy

8th Issue

Cannabis & Drugs • Immunotherapy & age,gender • Vitamin D & mortality
New HER2+ Breast Cancer drugs, diagnostics, and a clinical trial for brain mets

Cannabis

• Cannabis And Blood Thinners
“THC does not have quite as significant effect on these medications as CBD. The more dangerous thing is CBD is seen as safe and is available over-the-counter.”
My two cents: I support using Cannabis on your healing journey but two things are very important… 1. Use only high quality, tested, and labeled products and 2. Be aware of possible prescription drug interactions by doing your own research and talking to your prescribing doctor.

• Cannabis and Cancer Survey
“Your responses will help us better understand how patients use or do not use medical cannabis as a treatment option.”
My two cents: Dr. Dylan Zylla is conducting a survey that could be used to inform and justify future human trials, so the more people who fill it out with positive or negative experiences of using cannabis to directly treat cancer, the better. Why not take a few minutes to help researchers?

New HER2+ Breast Cancer drugs, diagnostics, and a clinical trial for brain mets

• Antibody-Drug Conjugates in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
“Novel antibody-drug conjugates introduce promising options for the management of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer“
My two cents: In addition to discussing the latest approved drug treatments for HER2+ breast cancer, this article provides a good overview of the history of treatments.

• Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Tucatinib Generate Excitement in Metastatic HER2+ Breast Cancer
“The regulatory approvals of fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu) and tucatinib (Tukysa) have significantly moved the needle in the realm of HER2-positive breast cancer treatment”
My two cents: As someone with HER2+ breast cancer, I am heartened by new treatment options, especially Tucatinib for brain metastases. Although Herceptin and Perjeta and my naturopathic protocol seem to be working for me (I’ve been NEAD since May 2014), it’s nice to know there are things in the pipeline if I need them. This article/discussion explains a lot of the existing protocols for HER2+ as well which is why I include it.

• Tripathy Navigates Ever-Changing HER2+ Breast Cancer Treatment Landscape
“In less than 1 year, there have been 2 exciting drug approvals, which are tucatinib (Tukysa) and fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (Enhertu)”
My two cents: More discussion of the new drugs by a prominent oncologist.

• New Era for Targeting HER2 Beckons in Breast Cancer and Beyond
“Precision medicine advancements are opening a new chapter in the development of anticancer therapies that target the HER2 pathway, resulting in 3 approvals for breast cancer in less than a year and raising hopes for attacking other cancer types.”
My two cents: In adition to discussing the new FDA approvals of Enhertu and Tucatanib, this article includes a discussion of the recetn expanded approval of nerlynx and an upcoming anticipated approval of Margetuximab.

• Clinical Trial for HER2+ Breast Cancer brain metastases – T-DM1 Alone Versus T-DM1 and Metronomic Temozolomide in Secondary Prevention of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Brain Metastases Following Stereotactic Radiosurgery
“The drug Temozolomide is approved to treat brain tumors. Researchers want to see if combining it with the drug T-DMI prevents the formation of new metastases in the brain.”
My two cents: I know all too well, the horror and paralyzing fear of a brain mets diagnosis. Until recently there wasn’t a lot to offer in terms of treatmetns that could cross the blood-brain barrier. Sterotacit Radiatio surgery (SRS) is an option but what to do when it comes back after that? This clinical trial is studying exactly that scenario, using Kadcyla WITH Temodar.

• FDA Approves Companion Diagnostic for Trastuzumab in HER2+ Breast Cancer
“The FDA has approved the new VENTANA HER2 Dual ISH DNA Probe Cocktail test for use as a companion diagnostic for trastuzumab (Herceptin) and to detect HER2 mutations in patients with breast cancer.”
My two cents: Same day results!

Vitamin D

• Low Free 25(OH)D Vitamin D Is Best Predictor of Mortality
“Low levels of Vitamin D predicted all-cause mortality in a large study of middle-aged and elderly men…”
My two cents: Vitamin D plays a huge role in immunity, cancer, and even Covid-19. This study (in men) underlines not only the importance of adequate Vitamin D levels for good health but the relationship beteen low levels and mortality. The sweet spot is 50-100 ng/ml. You may be low in Vitamin D if you don’t get enough sun exposure, don’t get enough from food (vegans may struggle with getting enough), or you have problems with absorption and conversion. Signs of deficiency include being sick often, fatigue, depression, hair loss, muscle and bone pain, osteoporosis, PMS, insomnia, and slow wound healing. Also, higher vitamin D intake was associated with decreased risk of dementia in a study of nearly 1,800 older adults in a multi-ethnic cohort.

Immunotherapy

• Study Finds Young, Female Patients Do Not Respond as Well to Immunotherapy
“A study found that immune selection exerts its toll differently with regard to sex and age, with a greater effect observed in younger females.”
My two cents: Not good news for younger female cancer patients however, the more they know, the more they can figure out alternate strategies. Near as I can figure out, this doesn’t apply to targeted immunotherapies such as Herceptin and Perjeta. In terms of breast cancer, I think it only applies to checkpoint inhibitors, such as Tecentriq for triple-negative breast cancer. Checkpoint inhibitors can remove the block that tumors put up to hide from the immune system.

Cancer in the News has a posting frequency of once every two weeks, usually on Wednesday. Subscriptions are free.