Breast cancer drug boosts survival

At least 1,500 lives could be saved every year if a drug used to treat terminal breast cancer cases is given early in the disease.

The Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG) said docetaxel (distributed by Aventis Pharma Inc.) significantly improved the survival rate of women with early-stage breast cancer and reduced their risk of a relapse compared with a standard treatment. This implies that docetaxel is a potential life-saver and should not only be used in terminally ill patients to buy extra time.

"It is the most encouraging news we have had from any of the newer chemotherapy drugs. I think these are enormously important results," according to Prof. Robert Coleman, a cancer specialist at Weston Park Hospital in the United Kingdom who took part in the trial.

Results of the international study were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in Texas, USA. It involved 1,500 women with breast cancer, half of whom received a standard treatment and the other half treatment with docetaxel.

After five years, 75 percent of women on docetaxel were disease-free, compared to 68 percent on the standard treatment. Eighty-seven percent of the docetaxel group was still alive after five years but in the standard treatment group, the figure was 61 percent.

This meant that docetaxel patients had a 30 percent reduction in the risk of death and 28 percent reduction in the chance of a relapse.

Currently, docetaxel is used for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Adverse effects are minimal and manageable. With the dramatic results, docetaxel has an important role in treating women with early-stage, node-positive breast cancer.

Aventis is dedicated to treating and preventing disease by discovering and developing innovative prescription drugs and human vaccines. Its corporate headquarters are in Strasbourg, France.

For more information, consult a physician or visit www.taxotere.com.