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A drug hailed as a “significant breakthrough” for thousands of breast cancer victims was made available on the NHS yesterday.
Studies have shown that abemaciclib can reduce the risk of a form of the disease coming back in some women by a third.
The drug, used together with hormone therapy, is effective in patients with HR+, HER2- early-stage breast cancer who are at high risk of recurrence and whose tumor has been surgically removed.
A global study led by the Royal Marsden Hospital in London found that abemaciclib given with hormone therapy reduced the risk of cancer returning by 32 percent compared to hormone therapy alone. It could help up to 4,000 women a year.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and although the prognosis for this form of the disease is generally positive, it could spread and become incurable in 20 to 30 percent of patients. Every year 50,000 women in England are diagnosed with breast cancer. (file image)
Abemaciclib blocks proteins that encourage cancer cells to divide and grow. It normally costs £2,950 for 56 tablets, but American manufacturer Eli Lilly has agreed to offer an undisclosed discount to the NHS. (file image)
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and although the prognosis for this form of the disease is generally positive, it could spread and become incurable in 20 to 30 percent of patients.
Every year 50,000 women in England are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Abemaciclib blocks proteins that encourage cancer cells to divide and grow.
It normally costs £2,950 for 56 tablets, but American manufacturer Eli Lilly has agreed to offer an undisclosed discount to the NHS.
Baroness Morgan von Drefelin, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: “The fear that breast cancer will return or spread to other parts of the body and become incurable can cause significant anxiety for so many women and their loved ones.
“It is now important that clinicians discuss this new treatment and the risks and benefits with appropriate patients.”