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Cancer
New drug slows tumour growth
The company behind the new drug, Afinitor, will file for worldwide regulatory approval this week.
A NEW CANCER drug is said to slow the growth of tumours in advanced breast cancer.
The drug, Afinitor, is made by Swiss company Novartis AG, who said its study of the drug in combination with Pfizer inc’s exemestene in 700 post-menopausal women with advanced breast cancer had finished early after positive results.
This combination of drugs is said to potentially extend the time until chemotherapy is needed for these patients.
The treatment works by inhibiting a protein that can trigger cancer growth and it is expected to become a ‘blockbuster’ drug.
The success of the trials means that the the drug may receive regulatory approval in Europe and the US, where it is already approved for other cancers.
The company is expected to file Afinitor for worldwide regulatory approval this week.
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