Spectrum Pharmaceutecals Inc (SPPI)

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Another Pozi success story

Stage 4 diagnosis drove nonsmoker to teach that it can happen to anyone

Horner found a team of lung specialists at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and began treatment. She drove to Seattle for chemotherapy treatment once every three weeks for three years.

For three years, the treatment worked. Horner’s cancer was being held at bay. But on the third anniversary of her diagnosis this August, Horner learned her cancer was growing again.

She stopped chemotherapy treatment and, in October, enrolled in a cancer drug trial at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She’s one of 49 people taking the oral chemotherapy drug, poziotinib.

“I’m lucky I lived long enough to get to this trial,” Horner said.

She’ll have her first scan Dec. 13 to determine whether the drug is stopping — or, ideally, shrinking — her cancer. Horner is optimistic. This summer, she developed the nagging cough again. Since beginning the trial drug, the cough has gone away.

She did have her first scan yesterday and reported last night:"It's going to be a Merry Christmas! Primary tumor has shrunk, smaller nodules have disappeared and pleural effusion is almost gone!"

That's outstanding news. I'm very happy for her.