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Written By: Agencies | Updated : February 23, 2015 11:33 AM IST
Washington, Feb 23: A new drug that works by blocking molecules responsible for cancer cell growth has been found to be effective for advanced breast cancer patients. The drug called palbociclib, an investigational oral medication, has been found to be well tolerated and extends progression-free survival (PFS) in newly diagnosed cancer. The palbociclib was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for metastatic breast cancer patients just beginning to undergo endocrine therapy. (Read: Mammography screening can reduce breast cancer deaths: Study)
The FDA approval has expanded treatments options for many metastatic breast cancer patients, but these new results are showing how effective the drug can also be for breast cancer patients who have already tried endocrine therapies and may be running out of options, said Angela DeMichele from Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania. The drug was developed by researchers at Penn Medicine. (Read: 10 questions you should ask your doctor after you have been diagnosed with breast cancer)
Read more about Breast cancer- causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention
Patients enrolled in the trial had previously undergone several prior chemotherapy and hormonal regimen for metastatic disease. The drug was extremely well-tolerated in this trial, and the absence of symptoms commonly associated with cancer treatment, such as nausea, diarrhoea, or pain was remarkable, said professor Peter O'Dwyer at Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania. (Read: Being diagnosed with breast cancer is not a death sentence)
The palbociclib drug may be effective in other types of cancer that operate by a similar mechanism. These trials are currently ongoing, said Amy Clark, from Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania. The results appeared in Clinical Cancer Research. (Read: Gene responsible for the worst type of breast cancer identified)
Source: IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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