Ibrance (Palbociclib)
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Patty, I think it's both. From what I've been told, even though it says chemotherapy right on the bottle, it is considered more a "targeted' therapy than a chemotherapy. The difference I think is subtle. Traditional chemo Is much more systemically damaging. Targeted cancer therapies use drugs that block the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with cancer cell growth and division in different ways and at various points during the development, growth, and spread of cancer. By focusing on molecular and cellular changes that are specific to a cancer, targeted cancer therapies provide effective treatment for cancer while sparing healthy tissues.
Stefanie
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I'm getting rads.
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No, Patty. Ibrance is a targeted therapy. It works by inhibiting molecules known as cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) 4 and 6, which are involved in promoting the growth of cancer cells. Without CDK 4 & 6, cancer cells can't proliferate.
I've also heard women refer to it as chemo, which IMO is ridiculous if they've been led to believe that by their oncs.
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Patty - Pfizer, the manufacturer of Ibrance says on the printout I get with each bottle, that it is a chemo therapy drug. However, my oncologist calls it a targeted therapy. So take your pick.
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I had my first scan since starting Ibrance \ falsodex combo in August. Results are : STABLE. With even a few tumors shrinking. Woo hoo ! Problem is of course decreased wbc. We have lowered the dose to 100 and even ad to skip a week at a time several times. Since i am in the hospital again with an infection , Guess now instead of the 3 weeks on and 1 off at 100, we are going to try 1 week on and 1 week off at 150.
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WooHoo, Patty!!!!!!!!!
Jazzy, that's interesting about the Pfizer insert. I just scanned both the consumer and professional Ibrance websites for the word chemotherapy, and it doesn't come up in either one for me. Hmmmm.... I've always thought there was a distinction between cytoxic agents that kill cells (chemo) and the newer approaches -- both targeted and immunotherapy. Oh, well. Not sure why Patty is asking or if it makes a difference as long as it's working!!! But it certainly explains the confusion!
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Has anyone paired up Ibrance with Fozladex? That is what my Onc is suggesting next as it appears the Femara is making my immune system attack my liver? Patty, sorry to hear you are back in the hospital......Sounds like you were having a blast for awhile there. Take care and get back soon!
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Patty! Happy to hear that your scans were good! But sorry you are in the hospital. Has your onc considered 75 mg for you?
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I don't think the drug company or the pharmacy has any stickers that say "TARGETED THERAPY DRUG TOXIC DISPOSE OF AS BIOHAZARD". So they use the one that says "CHEMOTHERAPY DRUG TOXIC DISPOSE OF AS BIOHAZARD". It does sound more impressive that way.
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Yes, Artist, I think there are some women on this thread using Ibrance + Faslodex. My onc says faslodex is the hormonal therapy with the fewest side effects, so there is something good. Glad they solved the mystery about your liver enzymes.
P.S. Read the faslodex threads for tips on getting the shot. You should search under falsodex [sic] too because of the tricky spelling.
That's enough ponies for now.
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Hi, I'm just finishing my 4th cycle of IBRANCE/faslodex (3 weeks on two weeks off-low WBC) with good results so far (lower tumor markers, shrinkage of liver met) but the side effects are getting to me- the worst is indigestion that keeps me up at night (don't eat turkey just before going to bed) which feels like pressure on my chest & difficulty breathing. My onc has given me the choice for the next round- 100mg for three weeks with one week off, or stay on 125 with two weeks off. I get that there is NO data to determine which is the best use of IBRANCE, it is now an art, not a science when deciding what to do. I want to know if anyone had the side effects reduced if you lower the dosage? Also I remember someone mentioned a runny nose/stuffed. I seem to get one at the end of the cycle, also kept me up last night. I don't think it's a cold but a possible side effect. THANKS Nina 🎶
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Patty, I can't figure out whether to happy dance over your scan results or cry because your back in the hospital again! I sooooo wish those dang docs could figure out why you keep getting infections! I know this predated Ibrance, so it may be a contributing factor, but not the underlying problem. Hope your stay is a short one this time, but I'll make my happy dance a long one, ha ha! Big hugs to you.
Carol, I know I am in much less pain than when originally dx'd, but it seems like it has just slowly gotten better, and doesn't seem to necessarily correspond to how well tx is working. I'm glad to hear Ibrance has been an easy tx for you so far, but I don't think lack of se's means it's not working either. It is such early days for you, and so hard in the beginning, but it seems like most of the easier tx's take time to work. Hope your pain is better soon and you are able to throw that walker into the back of the closet!
Dune, What have you been up to lately? Hope the bag 'o red has you in the pink! How is Ibrance treating you so far?
Regarding the chemo/targeted therapy question, maybe we should look at targeted therapy as a subgroup of chemo?
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Nina, Have you tried Prilosec (omeprazole) or Zantec for your heartburn symptoms? I got an rx for 20mg of omeprazole and it did the trick for me. You can get both drugs otc too. Hope you find somethings that works for you.
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Nina, have you tried OTC heartburn and/or gas relief products? I'm using them as needed to keep the bloating -- which was horrible the last week of this most recent cycle -- bearable. Last night I ate something spicy, then had to drink a cup of warm milk to relieve the intense discomfort.
And artist, yes, I'm on Ibrance+Faslodex, which my UCLA onc was very keen on going to after Anastrazole failed me. Hope it's a great combo for you too!
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Nina - I went from 125 to 100 and am now on 75 mg. Yes, the side effects were noticeably less for me when I went to the lower doses. But it has still been effective for me.
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Thanks Shetland, i know i had the spelling wrong. i am going to start on the thread tonight. They still are not positive that it's the Femara. Had another pound of blood taken today for the liver specialist to test. But for now I am on nothing for two weeks to see if my enzymes go down. She also said that if it is the Femara that eliminates any other meds in that class as I would probably get the same results. Which makes me fear that I just eliminated a whole bunch of options?
Nina, I had a symptom of difficult breathing and rapid heart rate which has gotten better since they pulled me off the Ibrance. Never thought it was indigestion though. Moissy, I am going to ask about a lower dose this time.
Thanks Deana, I hope so too and the same for you. I need to experience some positivity soon! Long may we all thrive!
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That's terrific news Pattie. I wish I was there with you for a high 5 -- and meanwhile they could find the reason for this cough. I had just begun thinking it was not germ related, and shared my water with Dusty, and now I'm worried he might get sick. I pray I catch any symptoms in time and we can treat him successfully. Birds like to hide they are sick until they can no longer hide it. Anyway I am pleased as punch for your positive results. Dune/Charlene
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Nina Ca - Just like Jobur said, I had to start 20 mg of omeprazole every morning on an empty stomach to deal with the digestive issues I have with the Ibrance. I had to be taken off the 125's & 100's due to low wbc. I am now on my 5th day of the 75 mg. and have noticed a huge difference. However, the nausea and GERD didn't start until the 12th day on the 125's, so I hope my current path will continue as well as it has so far. Will have my next CBC on 12/10. Faslodex & Ibrance for my birthday this year. Yeah! NOT!
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just finished 5th cycle of ibrance and letrozole and my pain in general is a lot better. I do have GERD and take zantac for that, the nausea is the worst the last week of the cycle, a little pot helps a whole lot. Give it time girls and hang in there. Marilyn
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Hey ladies, I just wanted to check in with everyone. I had a PET scan the week of thanksgiving and results the day before. I am on Ibrance 125/Femara and this scan was done at the end of 3 months. I was really worried because my tm's just kept rising. But scans are in and the results are good!! I started with 10+ liver mets and now only have 3! They noted the mass in my breast to be "significantly" improved and the lymph nodes in that side are no longer lighting up!! It was so nice to finally get some good news for the first time since dx 4 months ago. So back onto Ibrance for another 3 cycles(I hope). They wrote us a referral to a hospital in WA for a liver consult?? Anyway, I wanted to share my news and let you know I think/pray for you all daily! (cross post from liver mets thread) !!0
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Mama - That is fantastic news. I'm so happy for you!
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Mama- I just loved reading that!! I am so happy for you!!
Marilyn- Congrats on the finishing of the 5th cycle! Glad the pain is better, I can't wait to get where you are!!!
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Carol, you mentioned wanting to try a vegan diet, but finding it boring. Check out cookbooks by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Her recipes are delicious and interesting and she has a fun sense of humors. Her books Veganomicom and Isa Does It are both great. Enjoy
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No, Ibrance is "targeted therapy," not chemo. Chemo kills cancer cells (and others, too) but targeted therapy acts on the pathways that the cancer grows, and inhibits their growth. At least that's how I understand it.
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Mama, Wonderful news! Your post means so much to me as I had my tumor markers checked yesterday and they have shot up to the highest level for me by far. And I'm also on the 125 mg. I'm getting ready to start my 6th cycle. I was very disappointed and down, but after reading your post I have regained hope. I will have a few different scans in two weeks and I am going to keep remembering that your TM's were rising also but yet your news is great!! Very happy to hear that! Congratulations!
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Hummingbird,
Mine rose 3 months in a row!! I was very down and disappointed. I also had an ultrasound in the ER for gallbladder pain/problems that showed my liver unchanged. I was beyond disappointed. I was so worried Ibrance had failed me. My onc was so impressed with the PET, she asked us if we cared if she shared with colleges in and out of state, we were more than happy! She told us Ibrance is so new and no one really truly knows how things work. I asked her why my markers kept climbing and she told me they tend to lag behind the scans by 30-60 days. I just got last weeks numbers back this morning and they fell by 12 points, finally, after 4 months of incline. So keep in mind those numbers are not always the best and scans in 2 weeks will tell much more! I am still so new to dx and have had no good news until now, so we needed it. I am trying to just enjoy the moment before I let more fear and doubt creep in. but easier said than done! I will keep you and your mama in my prayers!
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Mama, thank you very much. And the additional info definitely helps me. You are right - just enjoy your good news! It's wonderful.
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artist. - I am on the same combo
Dune. - I've never owned a bird. Didn't know they could get sick so easily. Hope he is OK. Are you feeling better ?
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Kaption- Are you doing Vegan? I will look up the book.... thanks!
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I'm about 90% vegan. I never drink milk, eat eggs occasionally from healthy chickens. Cheese is the hardest thing to avoid. I've eaten vegetarian for 15 years. Don't miss meat at all.
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