Food and Drug Administration approved Genentech’s “Avastin” for the treatment of advanced breast Cancer. Avastin was already got FDA approval for treating advanced Colon and non-small cell Lung cancer. According to the Genentech Company, Avastin in combination with Paclitaxel chemotherapy will rise survival period in metastatic breast cancer patients. Why FDA took this decision against the recommendation of its advisory panel? We don't know. FDA gave accelerated approval for Avastin in combination with Paclitaxel for treating metastatic HER-2 negative breast cancer. According to clinical trials, this combination increased the survival duration in these patients. 75% of metastatic breast cancers are generally HER-2 negative. According to American Cancer society, Breast Cancer is the second most leading cancer killer among American women and it killed 45,000 women in 2007 alone. Don’t forget that metastatic breast cancer has no permanent cure. Avastin is also showing positive response in the renal cell carcinoma treatment clinical trials. Avastin uses: 1. Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: In combination with 5-fluorouracil, is indicated for treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum. 2. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: In combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel, is indicated for first line treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced, recurrent or metastatic non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer. 3. Metastatic HER-2 negative Breast Cancer. Avastin is really a wonder drug for both cancer patients and Genentech company. … [Read more...]
Taxotere approved for head and neck cancer by FDA
French Pharma Company Sanofil-Aventis’s Taxotere (Docetaxel) got US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval for treating head and neck cancer. FDA approved Docetaxel for treating locally advanced head and neck cancer prior to chemotherapy and surgery. Taxotere is used in combination therapy along with cisplatin and 5-fluouracil for treating unresectable advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck. Its usage before chemotherapy/radiotherapy and surgery improve the survival chances of patients. The drug was approved by FDA based on the TAX 324 trial results (Phase 3 randomized). Adding Taxotere to combination therapy will reduce death risk by 30%, according to trials. Side effects of Taxotere: Febrile Neutropenia is the most common side effect. Dizziness, alopecia and diarrhea are other common side effects of Taxotere therapy. Head and neck cancer statistics: More than 0.6 million people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year. Head and neck cancer is responsible 0.35 million deaths annually. Head and neck cancer is a group of many related Diseases that mostly begin in the cells that line the mucosal surfaces in the head and neck area such as the mouth, tongue, tonsils and throat. Taxotere is currently approved in the America and Europe for treating breast cancer, prostate cancer, head-neck cancer, gastric cancer and lung cancer. Sanofil-Aventis is the third largest drug maker in the world. … [Read more...]
Evista for Breast Cancer in postmenopausal women
Evista (Raloxifene) was approved for Breast cancer treatment by Food and Drug administration for some post-menopausal women. After Tamoxifen, Evista is the second drug approved for breast cancer treatment. Evista should not be prescribed for all women because of serious side effects. Evista is advised for treatment in two groups of women to lower the risk of invasive breast cancer. 1. Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. 2. Postmenopausal women at high risk for invasive breast cancer. Breast Cancer statistics: Breast Cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women. It accounts for 26% of all cancers among US women. According to American Cancer Society, 0.18 Million American women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer each year. Evista is a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) manufactured by Eli Lilly. It is used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Side effects of Evista: 1. Blood clots in the legs, eyes and lungs. Women who have previous history of clots should not take Evista. 2. Hot flashes, leg cramps, swelling of the legs and feet, flu-like symptoms, joint pain and sweating. 3. Evista should not be taken by premenopausal women and pregnant women because of serious harm to the foetus. 4. Evista should not be taken along with estrogens or Cholestyramine. Tamoxifen is the best drug for premenopausal women who have a breast cancer risk while Raloxifene is preferred for postmenopausal women. Evista does not treat existing breast cancer. Oncologist should weigh potential benefits and risks before prescribing Evista to postmenopausal women who are at high risk for invasive breast cancer. … [Read more...]
