Seeking Alternatives to Ongoing Taxol Treatment for MBC

Hi Donna, Yvette front Washington, 32, stage 4 TNBC i was diagnosed with MBC in 4/2024 and was told the same thing in Oct.. I recently got switched to 2 weeks on and one off which has helped me so much from weekly. I handle the news by just thinking if this is working and keeping me alive then I have no other choice. Hopefully you don’t have to do weekly! I would definitely talk to your dr about all of your options because originally I was told every week til forever. Im still holding out hope I could eventually get off it.

Hi Yvette! Thank you so much for responding! I hear what you’re saying about it working, & I was doing 3 weeks on 1 off. But the fatigue and misery of how I look & feel is outweighing that. There’s just gotta be another way. That’s why I signed up here and am on a mission to find other opinions/options. Whatever I find out I’ll let you know!

Donna, I understand what you are going through. I was on hormonal therapy for 9 years. It stopped working, I now have lesions in my liver. I just started Capecitabine. My 1st week off was awful, diarrhea, mouth sores and hand foot syndrome, exhausted. This week is much better, all side effects are going away. I'm not giving up yet. But, I know I'll be on chemo for the rest of my life, too. I have planned 3 trips before August and I will do all of them no matter how I feel. It gives me something to look forward to. I have 4 day spring break week my kids and grandkids. 1 week at beach with best friends and sisters. And a 6 day cruise (my first) with best friend and sister. We can do it. Life is good.

Hi Virginia! Just seeing “Grandchildren” made me cry. I have 4 & 1 coming. This just is such a rip off. I wish you the best time with them! You’re strong!

I was diagnosed 7/24 MBC to liver. I am participating in a Phase 1 Clinical Study (DB1305 PM8002 - you can google or AI for more info). I had terrible mouth sores and almost stopped the study a couple of times. My breast cancer oncologist said if not this Chemo, it’d be another, and that sank in. So she and the Study Administrator agreed to holding me back a couple of weeks to heal and they did a dose reduction two times. I’m so glad I roughed it out because the mouth sores and sinus drainage are now manageable and are my only side effects at this point (oh, and brain fog of corse, but no fatigue. I feel good. I have treatment every 3 weeks, workout with a trainer twice a week, walk most days and feel so much better than when on weekly taxol for stage 3a treatment. My Mets are more than stable, I’ve had close to a 50% reduction, even with the hold back and dose reduct. I don’t know if a clinical study is an option for you, but it’s something I’m glad I’ve done right out of the gate, so I’m sharing in hopes it’ll help you and others too. Sending you hugs and good vibes…

Wow Leah thank you for your story and this info! That’s what I’m looking for is another option & im going to look up that study to see if it’s here in Massachusetts. Thank you so much and God bless!

Hi Donna, I was also diagnosed MBC (de Nova) June 2020. Also told treatment for the rest of my life. I was just happy to hear that I still had some life left!!! After 3 lines of treatment Kisqali and Anastrozole for 1.5 year (then it stopped working) then Afinitor and Exemastane for 3 months (trouble breathing, had to stop) then Xeloda for 6 months (cancer grew) I finally landed on a clinical trial on November 1, 2022. I have been NED since December 2023 and now the doctor is talking about me stopping chemo and just being monitored. It comes with a good set of side effects, but I’ve also found several solutions or ways or products to help get through them to get a decent quality of life and now the possibility of stopping altogether until I need more is very encouraging and at the same time a bit scary! The medication I am on was approved for general use in the US January 17 of this year, it is not yet available where I am in Canada, but I still get it through the clinical trial. I am in the Tropion 1 trial, the medication is being marketed as Datroway. Maybe speak to your oncologist. You don’t say what cancer you have, this treats HR+ HER2- and there are trials for it treating TNBC as well. Good luck! https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2025/dato-dxd-approved-in-us-for-hr-p-breast-cancer.html 

Leeann this was surely a wealth of information I can’t thank you enough. I’ve literally stopped cheno on my own for weeks now cause I just can’t take it. I’m going to inquire on this trial and kisquali as well. I am Er+PR+HER2- I can’t thank you enough for the info and sharing your story warrior. Thank you

Good luck and reach out if you have any other questions you think I can be of help with! 💕

Treatment decisions for metastatic breast cancer can feel overwhelming, and it's completely understandable to have concerns about long-term chemotherapy plans. Many community members have found it helpful to discuss their treatment preferences, quality of life goals, and alternative options with their oncology team - sometimes seeking a second opinion can also provide additional perspectives on available approaches. Connecting with others who have navigated similar treatment crossroads in this community might offer valuable insights and support during this challenging time.