US okays new drug that slows skin cancer
Source: Agencies |
August 18, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE US Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug to treat the deadliest form of skin cancer by targeting a particular genetic mutation found in about half of patients.
The pill-based drug, Zelboraf, made by Roche, is the first treatment for melanoma that seeks out a specific gene found in skin-cancer tumors. The FDA said yesterday it also approved a test to screen patients for the mutation.
Melanoma is the fastest-occurring form of cancer in terms of new diagnoses. Researchers attribute the acceleration to longer life expectancy among the elderly and increased indoor tanning by the young.
Melanoma has long been considered one of the toughest cancers to treat, with few drug options. In March the FDA approved a Bristol--Myers Squibb drug that was the first to prolong survival in patients with advanced skin cancer.
Zelboraf will provide a second option for those patients with a mutated form of a protein that normally helps cells grow. It works by blocking the mutated form of the protein, slowing tumor growth.
The FDA approved the drug based on a 675-patient study which showed Zelboraf resulted in a slightly higher survival rate.
The pill-based drug, Zelboraf, made by Roche, is the first treatment for melanoma that seeks out a specific gene found in skin-cancer tumors. The FDA said yesterday it also approved a test to screen patients for the mutation.
Melanoma is the fastest-occurring form of cancer in terms of new diagnoses. Researchers attribute the acceleration to longer life expectancy among the elderly and increased indoor tanning by the young.
Melanoma has long been considered one of the toughest cancers to treat, with few drug options. In March the FDA approved a Bristol--Myers Squibb drug that was the first to prolong survival in patients with advanced skin cancer.
Zelboraf will provide a second option for those patients with a mutated form of a protein that normally helps cells grow. It works by blocking the mutated form of the protein, slowing tumor growth.
The FDA approved the drug based on a 675-patient study which showed Zelboraf resulted in a slightly higher survival rate.
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