please refer me to the latest cancer research study

October 6, 2007

Greetings. I am brand new to this group. My allergist yesterday

recommended that I participate in a new Xolair research study. It

focuses on whether the drug allows Advair 500mg patients, such as

myself, to stop using steroid inhalants.

I have tremendous respect for my allergist. She is connected with

s Hopkins Medical Center, and was the first one who diagnosed and

properly treated my lifelong asthma (which had been repeatedly

misdiagnosed, from infancy, as chronic bronchitis).

But I am leery of the newness of this drug, along with the

anaphylactic and cancer cases that have prompted the FDA black box

warnings.

My allergist gave me a detailed analysis of the research on those

problems so far. She thinks both side effects have been exaggerated.

She said two-thirds of the cancer cases appeared to be pre-existing

conditions in Xolair patients.

Where are the best sources of information online about ongoing,

objective research results on Xolair? I want to make as informed a

decision as I can, and wouldn't dare trust the pharmaceutical

companies' brochures.

Also, it sounds like many of those participating in this group have

more severe asthma than I do. Mine is under control most of the year,

except for the fall, when my system is always overwhelmed by molds. I

currently take Advair, Singulair, and use a MaxAir inhaler a couple

of times a day during the fall season. I often end up on short,

intense does of Prednisone in the fall, when the congestion causes

severe asthma, bronchitis and/or sinus infections.

By contrast, many of you sound like you've been living on Prednisone

(I love that " evil candy " nickname)on a regular basis. I've been on

Prednisone frequently over the past 10 years, but only during certain

high pollen periods (fall, and sometimes the spring).

I can see wanting to get off the evil candy, if you've been forced to

take it regularly. I can't sleep on the stuff! But I usually am cured

with one or two 60mg tapers of prednisone. I've never had to take it

for months or years at a time.

My question is: Do I have severe enough asthma to warrant

participating in this Xolair trial? I also risk getting the placebo,

which would be good for science, but not for me.

cheers, Lin

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