Experimental lung cancer drug designated as "breakthrough therapy"

Experimental lung cancer drug designated as "breakthrough therapy"

2 Oct 2014

An experimental drug against non-small cell lung cancer with a specific gene (ALK) mutation has been granted "breakthrough therapy" status by the US FDA. If continued trials are successful, it may be available by 2016.

"Breakthrough treatment": what does it mean?

The designation hastens the development and review of a drug that shows evidence of providing improvement over existing treatment for patients with serious diseases.

"About 3-8% of non-small cell lung cancer patients have the ALK mutation"

The drug, AP26113, which is in a mid-stage trial is designed to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a specific gene mutation of the ALK gene. About 1.5 million cases of NSCLC, the most common form of lung cancer, are diagnosed every year, according to the drug's manufacturer (Ariad Pharmaceuticals).

The company said about 3-8% of NSCLC patients have the gene mutation.

 

Source: Reuters