EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
UCLA Medical Center, California
- Dr. Slamon?
- Hello
It's Jamie McGraw.
Work city sent me.
Oh. My student assistant. Right. Right.
I'm right up here on the left.
- Okay.
- Come on in.
- What are you? Biology, Chem?
- No. English Literature.
- You're not a science major?
- No.
- Um no offense euh...
- Jamie.
Jamie. Right. But I'm doing
scientific research here
and I kind of need an assistant
who understands what I do.
Well, this wasn't my first choice either.
And no science majors wanted this job.
- What? None?
- No.
Well tell me you at least
read science fiction.
Dr. Slamon's office,
I mean lab.
Jamie. Oh nice to meet you too,
Mrs. Slamon. Hold on.
- Here.
- Hi
No, I didn't forget. 6:30 at the latest
right? Okay. Me too. Bye bye.
Could you hand me that
splicer over there, please?
No no, to the left. To the left.
Left left left.
- Right there. Thank you very much.
- Well, thanks anyway.
You know what?
I don't really need a science major
I just need someone to handle my calls,
do the paperwork
Whatever it takes so I can concentrate
on my patients and HER-2.
HER-2?
Yeah it's growth gene I'm using to try and
create a drug to treat breast cancer.
- Oh, like chemo?
- No. No no no. It's nothing like chemo.
You see, chemotherapy works on the principle
of killing cancer cells
and almost the patient, with poison and just
hoping the new cells grow back cancer-free.
That doesn't make sense to me.
What I'm trying to do is something
that's never been done before.
Take a sort of super protein from the body,
and target the bad cells and turn them off
like a lightswitch.
Um, it won't cure the cancer, but it'll
shut it off, which is almost as good.
- That sounds really...
- Crazy. Right, I know.
Everyone says that, but it's not. If, if
we can learn how to shut the bad cells off,
That will lead us to a cure.
And just so you know,
I'm not gonna remember your birthday
or National Assistants' Day.
Not because I don't try or because
I don't want to... Hold this, please.
I just won't.
And I'm gonna constantly be after you
to stay late and come early,
even if I can't pay you on time.
You aren't trying to talk me
into this job, right?
Yes, but I want to be clear.
200,000 women a year
are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Getting HER-2 to work
could save a lot of those lives.
200,000 a year?
Gramsy's here!
- Good morning, Samuel.
- You're going to sleep in my room.
Oh well, It's a very small bed
for two people.
I'm going to sleep with my mom.
- Hi mom. Thank you so much for coming.
- Of course, dear.
Although why Charlie chose to go on
the road this particular week?
Why you wouldn't come stay with me
at my house remains a mystery.
You do still have a room there, you know?
I wanna be home. So does Sam.
Could we not go over this again?
I was merely poiting out
It would be less stressful for all of us,
You, especially, to be in a house
that has adequate space and amenities
like air conditioning.
This will be fine.
I'll just put my things away.
And you, young man, you should do
the same with that bicycle of yours.
Why does she have to be here?
Because she is my mother
and your grandmother.
And next to you and daddy,
she's all I've got.
Oh Kate, I love it
Did you put that up there?
It's official.
Your own shop on Melrose Avenue.
I can't believe it. I'm a real designer.
You've been a designer. The only difference is
that now you're a designer with overhead.
Chartreuse, what was I thinking?
- Kate, if nobody buys anything...
- That's not gonna happen.
So get over here and make a toast.
- We got to commemorate the day.
- Oh miss upbeat. Champagne?
A good year too.
What are we gonna toast to? Let's see...
I got it.
- To good friends...
- Yes
- Hard work and to kicking some retail ass.
- Amen, sister.
It's official. You make the best
cup of coffee in the world.
- Yeah you say that every day.
- I mean it everyday.
- You decided about summer school?
- Ah, someone else can teach it.
I'm gonna spend the summer
sleeping in and getting fat.
And cleaning up the sunroom
For my studio.
Finally. With your talent, you should be
making art instead of teaching.
Lilly, what are you doing here?
I need an excuse to say hello?
- This is your lab? This little room?
- I know. The janitor's closet is bigger.
But the chances of him curing cancer
are slim to none, so I got him there.
Lilly Tartikoff, old friend,
Jamie McGraw, new assistant.
- Hi
- Hello
How is Brandon? Is he okay?
A star who shall remain nameless,
Is giving him indigestion
and the Dodgers are in the slump.
But other than that, he is fine.
How's Donna? I owe her a call.
She is good.
When you call her, say hi for me.
Poor Donna.
At least, I can tell my husband that he has to
come home. It's not like he's curing cancer.
Here, do not say I never gave you anything.
That is every episode of Hill Street Blues,
which you always miss because
you're always here.
You've got to be kidding me.
Being married to the president of
NBC Entertainment has its perks.
You didn't have to do this.
Thank you so much.
You saved my husband's life. Thank you.
I'm sorry, but I promised Donna
I would get him out on time
- And we still have hard rounds.
- Good for you. Keep on him.
And you, lives need to be saved.
Get back to work.
Bye.
Bye, Lilly. Thank you.
Alright.
You heard her, let's get back to work.
- I'm sorry, I was trying not to wake you.
- That was thoughtful.
But I couldn't sleep after you promised
to be home 5 hours ago and never showed up.
The specimen refrigerator broke
and I... I didn't have
- I am so not done.
- Sorry.
An hour-long recital.
I reminded you today, yesterday.
I even put Jamie on the case.
- I did everything but drive you there myself.
- I had to do the transfer myself.
- Your daughter was expecting you.
- There was no one I could call.
It's my work. If anything happened,
- I'd have to start over.
- Start all over. I know.
I knew when I married you what I was in for,
But they just want their daddy there.
Not everytime. But sometimes.
- I'll make it up to her on Sunday.
- That would be good.
Okay. I'm officially over it.
- You sure?
- Yeah
Because you know I'm gonna kiss you now.
You smell good.
You, well not so good.
So how was she?
Honestly, she was the best sunflower
I think I've ever seen.
You know why? She gets that from you.
You weren't really waiting up for me,
were you?
No, I fell asleep reading.
And, no offense,
but I really wanna get back.
And you won't mind if I go for a run?
Cause I'm not gonna have
time in the morning.
- Yeah. That's not gonna happen.
- Saw that happening.
Okay, I didn't wanna run anyway.
- You've done that a thousand times.
- Well that's what science is.
But what exactly are you doing?
- I showed you the plan.
- No, you didn't.
That's the plan. Step one is discovery.
That's a one in a million shot
Linking the HER-2 protein
with cell growth in breast tissue.
I did that right here in this lab.
Step two is to create
a drug from HER-2.
That's where we are right now.
I'm doing some of that work right here.
And they're doing the
rest of that at Genentech.
- And that's the drug company.
- Right
- It's a biotech company open in
the Bay Area. - And biotech is...
Is looking for medicines
based on molecular biology.
Step three is the mouse
protein experiment.
I'll explain more about that
when we get a little bit closer.
Steps four, five and six are
the FDA clinical drug trials.
To see if the drug works
and how well it works.
Which will lead us to step seven, the
Holy Grail, our drug is approved.
San Francisco
GENENTECH HEADQUARTERS
Hey Blake. Blake. You're not
gonna believe this new data.
I was trying to catch you before
you go on the plane. I got some bad news.
Okay. How much are they
cutting up budget this time?
I'm sorry, Denny.
Board's decided not to continue with HER-2.
You did not just say that.
They think cancer research
just carries too much risk.
What? They're just deciding that now?
We spent six years on this.
Yeah, and they've been dragging
their feet every step of the way.
But we're getting close. You know we are.
The board knows it too.
Try to see their perspective.
Continuing will cost millions of dollars
and the drug might not work.
But it might!
- Take a look at the new data.
- I'm a believer based on the old data.
It's a hard pill, Denny,
but you gotta swallow it.
We can't stop.
Not until we know what we have.
- Dinner is ready.
- I need to finish.
What's going on?
You haven't said two words all day.
Genentech is dropping HER-2.
- So you'll take it to another drug company.
- I can't.
Genentech owns the rights.
- But you developed the drug.
- It doesn't matter.
Okay? I did it using one of their genes
so it belongs to them.
Honey, you have been in this position before
and you always work it out.
I'm really not in the mood
to be cheered up right now. Okay?
I don't care.
I don't. It's Sunday, the one day
of the week that's ours.
And on Sunday, I don't care about cancer,
HER-2 or Genentech.
Just our family.
That was our deal from day one.
So stop feeling sorry for yourself,
put a smile on that cute face
and come in for dinner.
Daddy!
You're just in time for the
10 o'clock tune-up special
Well, if I were staying,
I'd take you up on it.
You should stay. It's his first birthday.
We can have another cake
at dinner tomorrow.
A yard full of screaming children,
it's not my cup of tea.
Come on, it'll be fun.
I hardly get a chance to see you.
- Really? And that's something you want?
- Just as much as you do.
- If she is sleeping, just let her.
- Sleeping? This hour?
She is tired. Taking care of two boys
is a lot of work you know.
You mean three.
Your film looks fine.
Lie down, please.
Lift your left arm.
Have you noticed any lumps or
anything unusual since your last visit?
- No.
- Right arm.
Are you doing your weekly self-exams?
- Like clockwork.
- Good.
You're fine. See you in six months.
Wham bam thank you ma'am, you too.
I'm sorry.
I've been paging you and paging you.
You need to jump on a plane.
- Blake called and he said it's urgent.
- Good urgent? Bad urgent?
He wouldn't say. But it's gotta be good.
You're right.
I've got the smallest budget at UCLA
the smallest lab and no
Genentech money. Not gonna be worse.
It's gonna be good. You're due.
See you soon.
I don't believe it! How in the world
did you get the board to change its mind?
- It's simple. Just committed career suicide.
- You committed what?
I can devote 20% of my time
to any project I want.
I chose HER-2.
It did not go over very well, believe me.
And if we screw this up,
I'm pretty sure I'll be free to leave.
We won't screw it up.
God help me for believing in you and this.
I'd sleep a lot better at night if I didn't.
But listen, you're gonna have to take
that lead foot of yours off the gas
We're gonna have a lot less
lab time and money.
- Got it.
- I'm serious.
However slow it's going now,
ratchet that down by half.
You know what? It really doesn't matter
I mean we're still in the game, right?
Which is more
than we could say two days ago.
Realistically though,
how soon do we get a bigger budget?
Get out. Get out. Put the
globe back and get out.
So, did you decide on the teaching job?
I'm too busy around here.
The paycheck would have been nice though.
- Oh come on, you're a doctor's wife.
- A university doctor.
He gets a teacher's paycheck.
I'm not complaining.
It's just we're gonna have to win the
lottery when it comes time for college.
You know, if you do win, and you need a
bad influence, I know just the stores.
Maybe once free. I'll give the rest
to Denny for his research.
No. Let Genentech pay for that.
I can't count on them. They're constantly
threatening to cut his funding.
But he's trying to cure cancer.
Who wouldn't support that?
Well, if they get behind the drug
and it fails,
It could bankrupt the whole company.
They're terrified.
- Well he never said anything to me.
- You know Denny.
He could break his arm
and you wouldn't know it.
He's really suffering.
- Don't say anything.
- I won't.
I've made a decision. I'm going
to raise money for your research.
You're going to what?
Last night, I was sitting in my
Beverly Hills home,
with my wonderful husband
and my beautiful daughter
and I was suddenly overwhelmed
with how much I've been given.
I need to start giving back.
I'm going to do it through you.
Very very generous of you, Lilly,
but I can't let you do that.
You need the money.
What? You're going to cure cancer in here?
Lilly, the fact that you would even think
about doing something like that for me,
means more than I can say.
But I can't let you do that.
We're friends.
Are you kidding me?
You spent I don't know
how many days and nights
Away from Donna and the kids,
with Brandon's chemo
and helping me get through it.
You saved him. That makes us more
than friends, Denny. We're family.
Yes, which is why
I can't take your money.
It's not going to be my money.
I'm going to raise it.
- No.
- No?
Look, Mr. "I don't care if I work
in the smallest lab in the universe"
I'm offering you money
for your research.
Now, if you don't want it, I'll go
find some other deserving doctor who does.
Great. Now can we be done
with this conversation?
You absolutely stink at accepting gifts.
Get over it!
You're this close to losing HER-2
because some executives are running scared.
Well, screw them. The calvary is here.
And you are going to have your own money.
It's a promise.
Goodbye.
Brandon, good to see you my friend.
Hi
Thank you very much.
- Wow, Brandon knows everyone.
- And if he doesn't, they know him.
But don't worry.
He'll be here before the appetizers.
- Is that an actor?
- No. Better. That's Ron Perelman.
- Who?
- Who?
He's one of the richest men in America.
He owns Revlon.
I'll be back in two minutes.
Hopefully five.
- Ron Perelman?
- Yes?
We haven't officially met.
I'm Lilly Tartikoff.
So, you're Lilly...
Is Brandon with you?
Almost. He's making his way to the table.
I thought I would take a minute to say hello.
I'm glad you did.
These are my friends Peter and Bindy Hawn.
Lilly is on our products advisory board
and for the past two years has been
sending me suggestions for our ad campaign.
I used to be on that board. But I don't
recall anyone ever sending in a suggestion.
No one did. Until Lilly.
Ask for my opinion, you're going to get it.
I don't wanna take your time.
I wanted to ask a favor.
- Of course.
- Do you see the man at that table there?
That's Dr. Dennis Slamon.
He is on the verge of discovering
something very important.
It's a new kind of drug for breast cancer
And he needs money.
I'm sure he does,
but this is not the time,
nor the place to discuss it.
All I want is a chance
to tell you about his work.
Call my office.
We'll discuss it over lunch.
HER-2 is a growth gene
that controls the...
- The...
- Growth of cells.
Give me that. Give it to me.
You don't need that.
Have you been here the last two hours?
I'm not a memorizer.
Well, I don't want you to memorize.
I want you to understand the concept.
- Lilly, just be conversational.
- No one is more conversational than I am.
But this is the Revlon Foundation board.
I get one shot to get you more money.
- I have to know what I'm saying.
- What you're saying is very simple.
HER-2 is a gene that
controls the growth of cells
in the breast tissue
of a third of all women.
When those women get breast cancer,
it is a very aggressive form.
And there is no treatment
available, not even chemo.
So most of them will die.
If my drug is successful
It's going to offer hope to those women for
the first time, saving 40,000 lives a year.
That's enough to fill the
Rose Bowl every other year.
Maybe if we get you
some lipstick and a wig...
Lilly you'll be fine. Just tell them that
I'm in a make it or break it point.
If I had more money, I could
do the work more quickly.
And if the drug works,
and I think it will,
We can get it approved and on the market
five to six years faster.
Six years times 40,000 is a quarter
of a million lives potentially saved.
By Revlon.
Okay?
Okay. Once more from the top.
Andy, just the man I wanted to see.
Denny, you know I'm a believer in HER-2
and one of your biggest supporters.
- But the answer is no.
- I haven't asked you anything yet.
Have you ever asked me
about anything besides more money?
Last week I asked you about your dog.
Right before you hit me up
for more equipment.
- Which I still need by the way.
- And which you're not going to get.
That's not your call, Reinhart.
No. But I was in the meeting and half
the board members agree with me.
An antibody approach to cancer
is never going to work,
which makes HER-2
a terrific waste of time and money.
So half of them agree with me?
Wow, you see I thought
it was way less than that.
Thanks for the encouragement, Carl.
We're late.
I promise next time we'll talk, okay?
I'll be back on Thursday.
You're gonna be glad you kept
this going. You'll see.
You'll See.
- Matt spilled the cereal on daddy.
- I did not.
How many times have I told you
not to play at the table?
A hundred.
- Could we please not fight?
- Two hundred.
That was Lilly.
She just finished the meeting at Revlon.
She did it.
You mean Ron Perelman said yes?
- Yeah
- Honey, that's great!
How much is he gonna give you?
$50,000? 100,000?
No. $2.4 million.
It's the biggest amount ever given to a
researcher without restrictions.
Oh my god!
Wait. Are you sure?
They're just giving it to you?
There are no strings attached?
Lilly has to throw a fundraiser
every year, to make more.
- More money?
- More money.
Nicole, sweetheart. It's me, mom.
Where is Charlie?
He's downstairs taking
care of the paperwork.
The biopsy was malignant.
I know. I know, sweetheart.
But you're gonna be fine.
Mom
You'll just sleep now, sweetheart.
And when you wake up, we get good news.
Mom
Don't worry. I'll be right here
waiting for you. Charlie too.
Lie down, please.
Lift your left arm.
- Hello to you too.
- Sit up, please.
The film shows a fast growing mass
in your left breast.
From the looks of it, it's cancer.
- But I was just here six months ago.
- As I said, it's fast growing.
How old was your mother
when she was diagnosed?
- 30.
- And you are?
I'm referring you to an oncologist,
Dr. Banks.
Well, if it is cancer, what are my options?
Mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy...
Whatever Dr. Banks prescribes.
But that's what they gave my mom
15 years ago and she died.
They don't work for everyone.
But they're still the standard of care.
- There's gotta be something else.
- Not yet. Good luck.
Honey, come in here.
What's up, baby?
I found a lump in my breast.
Are you sure?
- Yes, it's cancer.
- You don't know that.
Yes, I do.
Beverly Hilton Hotel
B. Hills, California - March 10, 1990
At Progr. Research
Cancer Women's Revlon / UCLA
FIRST ANNUAL
FIRE AND ICE
Lilly.
- This is surreal.
- I passed surreal a long time ago.
Good to see you both.
- Thank you for this.
- Tonight is just the beginning.
Hi
- Hi
- Hi
Can you believe it? Everybody came.
I've been sick to my stomach for five months
worrying that they wouldn't.
- You look beautiful.
- You both look like movie stars.
Thank you.
Okay, I've got to work the room.
I will see you at the table.
- Great.
- Okay.
Oh, and tonight is making us $400,000 more,
so, a lot to keep you
in test tubes a bit longer.
- And to get you a bigger lab.
- Wow!
I'll see you. Hi!
I just gotta say I'm really
stoked to be working here.
- That's great.
- When does the HER-2 trial start?
After we do the mouse protein test, which
we're waiting for Genentech to approve.
Mouse protein?
HER-2 is a protein and they grow it in mice,
because it's illegal to grow in humans.
And mouse protein
is the most like human tissue.
So it adds another step, because
they have to test to make sure it's safe.
What if Genentech says you can't test it?
They won't. I'll be back at 14:00.
Don't mind him. We've just been waiting
here for six months.
And if they say no, then it's over.
Could you go next door
and get the boys, please?
I was hoping we could have a cup of tea.
Maybe in the backyard. It's such a
beautiful day. Not too hot, not too cold.
- Okay. That would be nice.
- Excellent. You sit down. I'll get it.
- I'm sorry.
- Don't be silly.
How hard is it to make a pot of tea?
- That you're gonna lose someone again.
- I'm not losing you.
I think it would be easier for everyone,
if we just accept it
and enjoy the time we have left.
Oh yes by all means.
Let's take the easy way out.
It's just your life we're talking about.
- Since when did I raise a quitter?
- I have stage four cancer mom.
We haven't run out of doctors yet.
No, we haven't.
Just tell me we'll be on the "K"s, right?
- No, we're well into the "M"s.
- Okay, good.
I'm gonna go change and...
- Cream or lemon?
- I think it's cream today.
I hate chemo. I hate chemo.
Your mom's on line two.
Hey mom, what's up?
Hey, what's up?
I've been behind you and Denny for
a long time so I'm gonna ask you flat out.
Are we ready to take
HER-2 to the next step?
100%.
Okay. I'm approving the
mouse protein study.
Call Slamon and get him to go ahead.
Tell him he needs to hurry.
He'll be ready, Andy. Believe me.
Are you okay?
My mother was just diagnosed
with breast cancer.
I'm sorry.
Did you get Ricky to sleep?
Listen to this.
"UCLA is looking for volunteers
with advanced cancer
to test an experimental drug."
It says to call a Dr. Slamon.
There's no harm in calling.
You do qualify for the study.
And I know your time is very very precious,
so I want to thank you
for giving a week of it to me.
I'd be lying if I didn't tell
you I'm hoping for a miracle.
Hope is a good thing.
I do it all the time.
I want you to remember
that this is only a test
to see if the drug that was grown in mice
can be tolerated by people.
Now that means
I can only give you one dose.
But if it works like I think it will,
it might give you a little bit more time.
And we're talking about
the time you have left.
So, I want you to
take a day or two and think about it.
And whatever you decide
is the right decision. Okay?
I don't need to think about it.
Good morning everyone.
Today is a historic day.
We're here to do something
that has never been done before.
To inject a drug that was grown in mice
protein into people
to see if it is safe.
I have every faith
that it will not harm you in any way.
And hopefully, if the drug works like
I think it will, it will give you more time.
- Good morning, Nicole.
- Good morning.
- Are you ready?
- Yes
Congratulations. You just made history.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
We've got a reaction. Nicole Wilson.
Miss Mouse Ears.
You just finished the Mouse
Protein Test four months ago.
In corporate time it's like five minutes.
Yeah that's just long enough
for them to forget about us.
We have to start the Phase One trial.
They have to say yes.
Truth I think most of them mostly
never heard of you or HER-2.
Yeah? Tell me something I don't know.
- Hello
- Denny, nice to see you.
The necessary. We have everything
we need to make our decision.
I just want to remind you
of a couple of things first.
HER-2 is the most promising drug
this company has ever seen.
I stood right here. I did
something that has never been done before.
I shrank a cancer tumor
with six drops of our drug.
No poison. No chemotherapy.
Just the antibody.
Well, it's a big leap from shrinking a tumor
in a dish to curing cancer, doctor.
This isn't a cure. It's a treatment to
shrink cancer tumors and make them inactive.
Which is better than chemo and radiation,
because it has no side effects.
I wish we could know without an official
study that the drug would work.
But if we test it
and have a bad result,
it will be the Interferon disaster
all over again.
It's the only cancer drug
we ever developed and it almost ruined us.
You developed that
based on no hard evidence.
I have shown you real data.
Real data that HER-2 can work.
We can't base our decision
just on the science.
We have a responsibility
to the company.
And spending millions on HER-2 means we
aren't spending in more on promising drugs.
When you put all the pieces together,
the potenital downside is just too severe.
Well clearly, you don't have anyone
with cancer in your life.
How lucky for you. Well, I do.
I speak to cancer patients
and their families every day
and I hope, for their sake, that one day
there is a better treatment out there
than the current slash and burn
that exists at the moment.
When I was a kid,
I watched a doctor save my father's life
and I knew at that moment that
I wanted to do what he did,
because when you save someone's life
you're not just saving them,
you're saving everyone around them.
And now, when I look into a woman's eyes
and tell her that her cancer is terminal
and she tells me:
"What are the treatments available?"
and I tell her, "We don't have any,"
I know that we do.
- But you don't know HER-2 will work.
- I do know! I know!
Don't throw this chance away.
Maybe you've been sitting
behind a desk for too long.
Maybe I've been on the frontlines
longer than I should've.
But, for God's sake,
don't forget who we are!
We're not businessmen.
We're doctors.
Approve the Phase One trial.
- You guys are fast.
- We could still use some help.
I was working on my masterpiece.
You look beautiful.
Not too bad for someone who wasn't
supposed to make it till Christmas, huh?
Let's put it right in the middle.
That's us!
It's so pretty.
What are you doing?
Loving you.
- But, mom, I've got soccer.
- Mother's prerogative.
- Ellie?
- Hi, do I know you?
- I'm Josh.
- Thank you.
- Oh I'm meeting a friend.
- Yeah, me.
- Kate set this up.
- Oh gosh.
- Look I'm sorry. I don't date.
- Oh, you do eat.
- Look, Josh...
- We're here, so why not?
We'll eat fast.
We don't even have to talk.
The cancer's back. I'm scheduling
another round of chemotherapy.
No.
No more chemo. We've decided.
It's a quality of life issue.
I understand. I'm very sorry.
There is an outside chance.
A colleague is going to be testing
an experimental drug.
I'd like to send your slides.
Whatever.
Hey I've been waiting for you. I got
some news. The board voted yes.
- We're moving to Phase One?
- Yeah, but there's trouble.
- They put Reinhart in charge.
- Reinhart?
Why? He doesn't even believe in HER-2.
- But you know what? A go is a go.
- Let me finish, Denny.
He's bringing in these so-called
"Thought leaders" to head the study.
- He's not including you.
- But it's my study.
It's Genentech's study,
and they put Reinhart in charge.
I'm sorry. I wilted back for you,
but it's his call.
Hang on a second.
You have to change his mind.
They want superstars,
breast cancer specialists
to run these big clinical tests.
Come on. You need me.
This isn't just me protecting my turf here.
This is me protecting
everything we've worked for.
There are 3 arms to the study.
San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles.
I'll go back to him,
see if I can get him to give you LA.
I've already set up a network of doctors
who are gonna refer the patients to me,
- So tell him that.
- Keep screening for participants.
I'll see what I can do.
- Hello
- Barbara Bradfield?
- Yes
- Yes, this is Dr. Slamon of UCLA.
I'd like to talk to you
about joining the HER-2 trial.
What's HER-2?
It's an experimental drug.
Dr. Brown sent me your slides.
Right.
Thanks, but we're leaving in the morning
for Mexico. I'm trying a food cure.
- All due respect...
- I'm not expecting a cure,
just some quality time
with my family.
Ms. Bradfield, if you just delay
your trip for a day, I think I can...
Does this trial involve chemo?
- Some, yes.
- I'm not interested.
I refuse to die bald and throwing up.
Good luck with your study.
Good luck to you too.
- Slamon.
- You're back in.
- LA is yours.
- Reinhart signed out.
Yeah. Now go home and get some rest.
You're gonna need it.
Yes!
- Once again, Blake saves the day.
- Oh God.
I owe him big time.
- How was your day?
- Good
- Did you find anyone?
- One woman, best candidate I've ever seen.
She's not interested though. Going to
Mexico for a food cure.
- There's a misnomer for you.
- Did you talk to her?
As much as I could.
She's looking at the end of her life,
so, how she spends that time
is her call.
But you can't get over the feeling
I might be able help her.
And selfishly, it's bad
for the study, because I get 15 women
and I need to make them all count.
So I don't know.
Hey.
It's not always gonna be like this,
these crazy hours.
Yes, it will. But that's okay.
We just miss you.
- Hello?
- Hello, Barbara, this is Dr. Slamon.
I'm sorry to be calling this early.
Barbara, don't go to Mexico.
It's a death sentence.
I think I can save your life.
Phase One Trial
Day One - 1992
- They're all here.
- All 15?
All 15. So, as we
say in showbusiness,
- Break a leg.
- I'll see you out there.
No. I have another ball to plan.
You, you can take this from here.
Lilly. I just wanted to say you know,
without you, this would...
Thank you. I really mean it.
Thank you so much.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Welcome to the Phase One kickoff party.
- I'm very happy to see all of you.
- Not as happy as we are to see you.
So the drug you will be taking
finally has a name,
Herceptin, which is a combination
of "Her" from HER-2,
and "ceptin" from intercept,
Which is what the drug is designed to do,
to intercept growth signals
from reaching the cancer cells
so they don't grow.
It's pretty simple when you think about it.
Now, for the next three months,
we'll be meeting here every Tuesday at 9:00,
for the infusion and a check-up
to monitor your progress.
First two weeks, you'll be
receiving cisplatin,
traditional chemotherapy drug.
Every third week, you'll get the Herceptin.
Now since cisplatin is a chemotherapy,
you'll have the traditional side effects,
like fatigue and nausea.
But on the weeks you receive the
Herceptin, you'll feel great.
No side effects.
Finally, I wanna thank all of you
so much for coming here.
I appreciate your hope, and
your belief and your sacrifice.
- Thank you.
- I don't take that lightly.
Okay, any questions before we begin?
Oh yeah, I do. Just one.
I hope everbody here is hungry.
Breast wishes to
Dr. Dennis Slamon and Co.
Genentech, Revlon
and UCLA
I know. The baker was gay,
so he hasn't seen boobs in a while.
My nipples aren't black
like that. They're not.
Dr. Slamon.
I'm late for a council.
You have to call my office.
Please. I drove three hours to see you.
You have to make an appointment. I'm sorry.
My daughter participated in the
Mouse Protein Experiment, Nicole Wilson?
Nicole, right. Miss Mouse Ears.
She was the very first one.
Exactly. Well, her doctor told us you're
testing your new drug.
- Right
- I'd like you to include her.
Believe me, I would if I could,
but she just doesn't meet the criteria.
That's nonsense.
She is the perfect candidate.
One shot kept her alive for two years.
- I'm sorry, miss...
- Aldredge.
Ms. Aldredge. But the eligibility
requirements are very strict.
Well then don't put her in it.
Just give her the drug.
The FDA counts for every dose.
I'm very sorry.
My daughter is dying!
You have the power to save her.
I don't.
I'm sorry, Mrs. Aldredge. I do understand
what you're going through, but...
Have you lost a child, Dr. Slamon?
Then don't presume to know what
I'm going through.
I promised my husband as he lay dying
that I would take care of our little girl.
For 24 years, I have kept that promise
and you will not stand in my way
of keeping it now.
I can't help you.
Then get your superior out here immediately.
There is no superior.
It's my study and I don't have a choice.
If I break the rules,
they're gonna shut it down.
She's only 28.
She has two little boys.
She is all I've got, Dr. Slamon.
Please don't take her from me.
Please.
I can't lose her too.
Dr. Slamon, we need you right now sir.
I'm very sorry.
Hey
- Hi daddy.
- Hi
Will you show me that picture
that you drew for me?
I just really want to see it.
Okay, daddy.
You know, Barbara,
maybe this week we'll be better.
Maybe the chemo won't make you so sick.
Well that would be nice.
But I don't think it's in the cards.
Hey, you never know.
If I could just get home,
I wouldn't care.
Really? You don't like puking
your guts out into your purse at the mall?
It has to be so graphic?
I'm just being real.
I mean, that's really what it is right?
I mean, nothing is more real than this,
this and puking.
Really does just cut through all the crap.
Yeah, well, next week we'll be better. We
get the Herceptin. No side effects.
No, I'm so ready.
Do you hear that cancer? You're going down.
You make this all worthwhile.
Sorry.
- Hold on a second.
- What? What are you doing?
It's been months. I wanna see you.
You wanna see a scar? You're a freak.
I love every inch of you,
including the breast that isn't there.
Sex with me in the dark,
or sex by yourself with the light on.
Your choice.
How about a flashlight?
- Come here.
- Come here.
- Does that hurt?
- No.
I just don't know let looking at it.
Just reminds you that you're sick.
I don't need a stinking tumor
to remind me that I'm sick.
Let's think good thoughts today, Tish.
Positive energy creates healing.
Wow, is that what I've been doing wrong
my whole life?
Tina, do you have an herb for that
with some aromatherapy?
Maybe we can do some
guided meditation.
That's just too complicated for me.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Okay, so after two weeks of chemo,
who's ready for their
first dose of Herceptin?
- I am!
- Me!
- Alright. Let's start with you, Sally.
- Sally?
- How is that cough?
- It's almost gone.
That's good.
- It's yellow.
- Alright.
I'm gonna get more than you.
Hey, Dr. Slamon. It's Fran Visco,
President of the National
Breast Cancer Coalition.
Yeah, I remember you. You gave me a grant.
You were one of the very few.
Do you mind walking?
- I have a patient.
- Not at all.
Wow, you have a good memory.
That was over eight years ago.
You know, I've been getting a lot of calls
and I know you can't really speak about it;
but how is Phase One going?
A lot of calls?
Yeah, the breast cancer community is
very tightened, and so they talk.
- Off the record, it's going well.
- So, there will be a Phase Two?
Off the record, yes.
Oh good. Before you start
planning Phase Three, call me.
You're gonna need a perspective
that those scientists
who haven't been through that cancer
meltdown have themselves.
Thank you, Fran. I will call you.
So, I bought this to boost
our immune systems.
You mix it once a day, in hot water.
And you drink it down. Just like tea.
- What is it?
- Dried seahorses.
- Sally is late again. - Forget the cancer.
This will kill me right here.
I know I'm always joking with you,
but I swear to God, your tumor has shrunk.
- It has, hasn't it?
- It is.
- Let me see.
- Look.
My God. It shrunk!
Now Tina, I know you didn't have time
to leave the hospital
and go find some seahorses.
What is this?
I mean that came out of
the back of a dog. It did.
Sally passed away this morning.
Not from the drug,
but as a result of her advanced cancer.
Carol will be in to get you started.
- I'm alright.
- It wasn't your fault.
Her death? No.
- What happens next though that's all me.
- What tell you?
I put them all in one room,
so they wouldn't feel alone.
Now they'll know when one of them dies.
Great planning.
- You couldn't have known.
- But I should have.
Every single one of them has stage 4 cancer.
Some of them are lucky to be alive.
I chose the room, the chairs, the program.
I just spent so much time
trying to get it right.
You didn't know. Next time you will.
Tell that to the women
who are looking at the empty chair.
Kate! Turn down the music.
What are you doing here?
I was in the neighbourhood,
thought I'd fall by see if
you wanna go to Vegas this weekend.
And while we're there,
get married.
- Ellie.
- Josh.
I told you, marriage
is about happily ever after
- And I don't know that that applies to me.
- Maybe the cancer's gone.
Not the cancer, my cancer.
And yes, it's gone,
- But it can come back.
- If it does, we'll deal with it.
I love you baby,
but I can't marry you.
- Do you really mean that?
- But it doesn't change anything.
For you. Me, I want a future.
No matter how long that might be.
I know it's bad news,
or you would have told me on the phone.
Well actually, the news is good.
Your response to the Herceptin is
more successful
than I ever thought possible.
It not only stopped your tumor
from growing, Barbara,
it made it disappear.
- My tumor is gone?
- Your tumor's gone.
Now, you still have cancer
but this is an exceptional result,
amazing even.
Sorry, I...
I was expecting the worst.
Well, it's nice to get some
good news for a change.
Yeah.
Now here's where we are,
we're almost done with Phase One
and I'm inviting you
to continue treatment in Phase Two.
- Whatever you say I'm there.
- Good.
Now you're gonna have to sit tight
for about 6 weeks until we begin.
- But I'll still be getting my Herceptin?
- No.
I can't give it outside of the study.
That's FDA rules. We
have to apply to begin Phase Two.
Don't worry now. It's just a formality.
But if my tumor comes back?
If it does, I don't think it's gonna grow
fast enough to be a danger.
And once you start the Herceptin again,
it'll shrink. It'll be fine.
I have to ask you not to tell the others.
Not all of them are gonna be
continuing to Phase Two.
- Who's not coming?
- I need to tell them first.
Yeah
Yeah, of course.
Fresh from my garden.
Echinacea, for colds.
- Works like a charm.
- Thank you.
I know I'm here for my official results,
I already know.
- Dr. Slamon, I feel so much stronger.
- You are doing better.
But?
I'm sorry, Tina.
You won't be moving on to Phase Two.
Not moving on?
But you said last week
I was improving.
And you are.
But for the study, for its ultimate success,
I've been given a set of
standards by the FDA.
I need to narrow the group down
to the ones who are having the most
clear and measurable response.
That's me. Sir, I've gained weight and
I'm not in pain at all anymore.
- You can see that.
- I know that.
But the goal, and we talked about this,
has been to get Herceptin approved.
Now, in my heart,
I want you to continue, Tina.
But in Science,
it comes down to the numbers.
And for the next phase,
and I'm sorry but, your numbers
they're not high enough.
Please, please Dr. Slamon.
I have three children and a husband.
Look, we'll pay whatever it costs
and nobody has to know.
I wish I could do that.
I can't.
I've never begged for anything in my life.
But I'm begging you, doctor, for my life.
I'm sorry, for you
for your family, I'm sorry.
Sorry. How many...
How many lucky ones?
Five.
Well, I am happy for them.
Thank you doctor.
- How could you do that?
- It's part of my job.
You just sent her home to die.
That's how it works.
- That's not fair.
- No it's not.
- That's not right.
- It's not a question of right or wrong.
I don't think I can do this anymore.
But we will.
We have to stop meeting like this.
- Fran, what are you doing here?
- Oh, I was speaking to a group of nurses.
And you? Oh yeah that's right. You work.
Hey, you were supposed to
call me about Phase Three.
And I will, as soon as
I hear that we're moving on.
- We just finished Phase Two.
- Six months ago.
Told you. I'm watching. I'm listening.
Trust me.
When I get the go-ahead, I will call you.
I don't wanna be notified.
I wanna be involved.
- I hear you loud and clear.
- Okay. Call.
- Do we have a deal?
- We have a deal.
- Call!
- I will.
I called you five times.
When are you gonna call me back?
When I had an answer.
You just called me yesterday.
Yeah, and last week,
and the week before that,
the month before that
and five months before that!
When are we gonna start Phase Three?
When Reinhart is done designing it
and when the board decides to pay for it,
- Which at this point is not a sure thing.
- That is ridiculous.
Herceptin works.
We proved it in Phase One and Phase Two.
Why do I sound like a broken record here?
Yes, Denny, One and Two were successful,
but we still have not proven anything!
That is what Phase Three is for.
Acceptable clinical proof.
- That's my point!
- Don't yell at me!
Then get the board off its overly cautious
ass and get us the go-ahead.
You know what, don't lecture me either.
I'm not lecturing you, Blake.
For crying out loud, how many times
do we have to go through this? I have...
Barbara and Dean are waiting.
Sorry I'm late.
I feel good.
Please don't tell me I'm not.
You're cancer-free.
What?
There's not one sign of cancer in your body.
- None.
- How?
Part of it is the Herceptin.
The rest, I don't know.
- But the cancer is still there...
- Barbara...
- It only takes one cell.
- You're cancer-free.
I read the results myself
and I made them retest.
Cancer-free.
Cancer-free.
Free of cancer!
Cancer-free!
I wanted to hear those words
and I never thought I was
And now I don't know what to do!
What do I do?
Well, to be honest, all of the other women
responded like I thought they would,
they improved, but your
cancer is gone, completely.
So, as for I would do,
just be grateful.
And by the way, you don't
have to come here anymore.
Except to say hello.
- Do you think she misses us?
- I know she does.
Just like we miss her.
- Can I put it on the tree?
- I was just going to ask.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, mom.
Merry Christmas, sweetheart.
I'm sorry. After four years of remission,
your cancer is back.
The cancer has spread
to your lymph nodes and your liver.
You'll need to get your affairs in order.
Wow. People actually say that.
"Get your affairs in order."
How long do I have?
Four months, maybe five.
How about chemo?
You've run that course. I'm sorry.
You mean to tell me in this
world-class research hospital,
that's my only option?
How can that be?
Well, there is one possibility.
It's a Phase Three trial.
And, if approved, it will start soon,
but you have to be HER-2 positive.
- Am I?
- I don't know.
But we'll find out.
- Carl.
- My afternoon's all booked.
I'll make it fast. I just have a few ideas
about the trial design.
You've never designed a drug trial before.
No, but I know more about Herceptin
than anyone.
Yeah, thank you.
I've got this under control.
Come on, Carl. Please just hear me out.
To be honest, Denny,
I don't want or need your input.
Look. I am the one
who's been in the trenches,
trying to find the women that you need to
enroll in your mess of a trial
but I can't because your requirements
are too strict.
- In your opinion.
- It's not just me.
Ask your "thought leaders".
You are running Phase Three into the ground!
- We're done here.
- Okay.
- If we could just simplify...
- I said we're done!
When is the last time
you told a patient she was going to die?
Monica Stein. Cindy Lopez. Jane Hart.
Sarah, Joan, Linda.
Those are just the women that I had to tell
this week!
All of them are HER-2 positive and
all of them were excluded from the trial,
because they've all had one too many
courses of chemo!
Well, it shouldn't make a difference!
They should be eligible.
Is there room in there for two?
As long as you don't flip me over
like last time.
O ye, of little faith.
There. see?
I'm not a total clums.
It's over.
The trial's gonna fail.
- No, it's not.
- Yes it is.
Reinhart's design will see to that.
Twelve years.
Twelve years I've been fighting it for what?
Drug company that just wishes
I'd go away?
Promises I can't keep
to patients who are counting on me?
All the time I missed
with you and the kids.
All for nothing.
You're my long distance thriller
You know what you're gonna do?
You're gonna go to sleep
and you're gonna wake up
and you're gonna fight your fight
until you win.
That's who you are.
- Hello.
- It took a year and a half,
but we're back on track.
- Reinhart has been transferred.
- Wait, who's taking his place?
I don't know, but get this,
whoever it is has marching orders
to save the study.
Can you believe it? I'll call you later.
- Yes!
- Yeah, I'm calling to see
if I've been approved for the study.
My name is Ellie Jackson. No, I'll wait.
What do you mean no one's
looked at my paperwork?
You've had it for two months.
Yes, I know it's July,
but I'm not on vacation.
I have to be approved
before the study starts,
so that I can start on the first day.
Because I don't have that many days left.
Thank you.
Okay, I'll cut to the chase. We're
trying to save the Phase Three trial,
and we don't have enough participants
and we're hoping you can help.
Oh, so let's see, I could write a cover
letter and send out the information packets
to the 3,000 names on my roll index
in exchange for which you'll give me
and another breast cancer advocate
a say in the trial design.
Yes.
And compassionate access to the drug,
for the women who
do not qualify for the trial.
- We'd like to do that, but...
- No buts.
There are women out there with no
other medical options,
except for an experimental drug
which does seem to work,
but they can't have access to it.
And the FDA allows compassionate access
in Phase Three studies.
Even so, there's a very
limited amount of the drug available.
Make some more.
The tumor cell is sort of
blanketed by the HER-2.
If you would come up with kind of your top
three priorities, that would help.
NBCC
National Breast Cancer Coalition
grassroots advocacy in action
There is no good slide.
I can't believe that.
Someone's calling. Let's go.
We gotta get more of these out. 16.
Hi I'm here for the Phase Three trial.
It took me all summer long,
but I just got approved.
Ellie Jackson. Welcome.
We're happy to have you,
except you're early.
I can just go get a cup of coffee.
No, I didn't mean today.
We don't start until next week.
- That'll be too late.
- It's just a week.
The trial was just approved.
We aren't ready yet. Come back next week.
I have been chasing people
and committees around this hospital
for three months
trying to get approved for this study,
to save my life.
And everytime I managed to
get somebody's attention,
they can't help me
because they're not ready.
They don't have my paperwork,
or they're moving, or they're on vacation,
or they're sitting at home waiting
for the cable guy.
I get it.
Life goes on. People have jobs.
Things happen.
Well, cancer happened to me.
And I'll be damned if I'm gonna die.
Not because there weren't
people here to help me,
but because they weren't ready.
I'm dying in front of you right now.
And if you have help to give me,
I need it now.
I need it right now!
Find Dr. Slamon.
Thank you.
Hi Ellie. Dr. Slamon.
- I'm sorry about the scene out there.
- Oh, don't apologize. Are you kidding?
Do you know how many fits I've had
to throw around here myself?
It's ridiculous.
Alright.
It's official.
You are the first subject in
Phase Three. Congratulations.
- Thank you, Dr. Slamon.
- No, Ellie.
Thank you. Carol's gonna be
in shortly, alright?
- Okay.
- Okay.
REVLON RUN/WALK
FOR WOMEN 1996
Congratulations, runners and walkers,
you are halfway there.
Revlon Run/Walk
Please visit the water tables
and we'll see you at the finish line.
HalfWay Mark
- Have you seen Lilly?
- I guess she's around here somewhere.
Dr. Slamon?
- Hi
- Hello
I just wanted to tell you thank you.
- Well, thank you.
- Thank you so much.
Dr. Slamon. Thank you for fighting for us.
- All these people know dad?
- Yeah and they're thanking him.
- For what?
- Helping them or someone they love.
Dr. Slamon, I just wanted to say thanks
for giving my mom more time.
- Who is your mom?
- Nicole Wilson.
Well I think I should be thanking you.
Your mother was the first.
We wouldn't be here without her.
- Thank you, Doctor. Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
Hey buddy.
- This is Slamon.
- I'm coming down today.
Meet me outside your building
at 16:30. Don't be late.
Blake, why don't you just come to my office?
Just be there.
Oh, look you're late.
I got a plane to catch.
Look I read all the data last night.
I wanted you to hear it from me.
- Well?
- Congratulations.
We proved Herceptin officially works.
More than anyone ever imagined,
except for you.
I gotta get to DC.
I'm showing the results to the FDA.
- Do you need me to go? I can go.
- Denny, I think I can handle this one.
- Don't tell anyone but Donna.
- What about Lilly?
And Lilly.
- Good work.
- You too.
What are you doing home?
- I just saw Blake.
- Did you invite him over for...?
I love you, mom.
Alright! Yeah!
Yeah!
Run!
Yeah!