Her-2: The Making of Herceptin, a Revolutionary Treatment for Breast Cancer

A compelling read about the discovery of the drug Herceptin. My education crossed paths with both Dr. Dennis Salmon and Dr. John Glaspy during my internship at UCLA in 1992. Both of them were my attending physicians during my internship. In fact, my first rotation out of medical school (from UCSF) was on the solid oncology unit at UCLA and a few short months later it was on the bone marrow transplant unit. I encountered many deathly sick patients and sadly many died. I wish I knew what Dr. Slamon and Dr. Glaspy were doing at the very time of my internship to help save the lives of their patients. They are to be commended for advancing the treatments for breast cancer. All these years later I wish that my internship had started with one of the oncology attendings telling me this: "Your internship is going to suck. You will take care of devastatingly sick patients many of whom will die. You will be fatigued and get little sleep. You will become attached to them and feel the pain that they and their families go through. And often, it will be hopeless, but we want you to know that as you are on the wards taking care of them we are working on the advances that one day will help to save their lives. If I had only known about those first patients ever to receive HERCEPTIN it might have changed not only my year of internship but all the years since. I recognize that it is in the 26 years since doing my internship that many new treatments have in fact come along to save or at least add years to people's lives. It was 9 years after my internship that the drug GLEEVEC was approved--I wish it had been available to save the life of one of my patients, JK. I watched as the attendings and fellows and residents and myself were completely helpless in saving him. Robert Bazell is to be commended for not only reporting the science, but the politics and bureaucracy of bringing a life saving drug to market.

A book about one of the greatest discovery in oncology,Trastuzumab ,commercial name Herceptin, wich saved since then so many her2 positive women.It opened the way for more treatments but this one was revolutionary. The book is not complicated with scientific terms,it's more like a captivating fiction. Easy to read and helpful for those who have this desease.

Very interesting to read since I am now using this miracle drug for a recent diagnosis. I was surprised to see it was published so long ago (1998) and I'd love it to be updated. The personal stories of the women who fought for this drug, and those who didn't get to benefit from it, are the most compelling. I am so grateful to benefit from all the pioneering work that's been done. So why does this still cost $10,000.00 for each infusion 16 years later? I'm getting it for a year, maybe $180,000.00, nearly all covered by insurance. An update on the costs of developing, marketing, and distributing the drug would be helpful.

The miraculous development of Herceptin for the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer is detailed in this book. It traces its development, trials and delivery as a game changing medication. Worth a read.

Reading this book, and yes I saw the movie...again pointed out, How Very BLESSED I am to be alive! If Dr Slamon had given up on his fight to bring Herceptin to fruition...I and a very large number of women would have been dead years ago! I was able to really experience all the problems and difficulties he and many others faced. Reading about those who fought hard for its inception increases my respect and admiration. If not for those who worked so diligently to bring these developments to life many would be dead. In 1999 I was diagnosed with this aggressive form of Cancer. I truly appreciate all those women who went before me. After 8 years on Herceptin, with an OK from Dr Slamon, My weekly Herceptin was discontinued. I have been Blessed now with 16 years of life, when I had originally been given a few months.

Terrific book about discovery of Her-2 and Herceptin. Although published in 1998, it gives the back story of these discoveries and the journey to FDA approval. Very informative and inspirational. As a breast cancer patient, I am grateful for everyone who participated in the development of the drug and the women who participated in the trials that resulted in widespread availability for women who are Her-2 positive.

I had NO clue I paid for a used book in FAIR condition. The book cover is dirty and when I took it off, the book looks like something spilled on it. I’m so GROSSED out that I don’t even want to read it!! No where does it state in the description if it’s used or new.

This book is excellent for an understanding of the corporate and federal politics that occur when a "wonder" drug has been created and the makers are trying to make it available for clinical trials for those women who desperately need the drug. A member of my family is now benefiting from this drug, and I am indebted to the doctors and scientists who refused to give up in getting approval for it even though it took several years even after the excellent results of the clinical trials. The book reveals how much drug companies and the FDA manipulate the release or lack thereof of important medications that can truly save lives. Robert Bazell has written an important book that certainly deserves an update.

nice journalistic style, great to read the back story of Herceptin

現代医学の治療の中心となりつつある、分子標的治療薬ハーセプチンの伝説的物語。チロシンキナーゼの発見から、分子標的薬治療の進歩、その中、なんども中断の危機に見舞われながらなんとか商品として世に登場したハーセプチン。最先端の医薬品が、極めて人間臭い物語によって世に出たことに感心することしきり。

Great book! Passed it on for other women to read!

EXCELENTE LIBRO

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