Taxotere Receives Approval for Treatment of Advanced Breast and Lung Cancers

Strategic Insights -

Taxotere, a chemotherapy treatment developed by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, has been recommended for approval in Australia for the treatment of advanced breast and non-small cell lung cancers that do not respond to initial therapy. This approval comes after Taxotere demonstrated significant response rates in clinical trials, with over half of patients with anthracycline-resistant breast cancer responding to the treatment and experiencing tumor shrinkage and improved symptoms. Taxotere has already been approved for use in several countries, including Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and Brazil.

Key Takeaways:

  • Taxotere has been recommended for approval in Australia for the treatment of advanced breast and non-small cell lung cancers.
  • The approval comes after Taxotere demonstrated significant response rates in clinical trials, with over half of patients with anthracycline-resistant breast cancer responding to the treatment.
  • Taxotere has already been approved for use in several countries, including Canada, South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and Brazil.
  • The treatment works by inhibiting cancer cell division, leading to cancer cell death.
  • Taxotere has been studied extensively in clinical trials involving over 2,500 patients worldwide.
  • The approval is based on the recommendation of the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC).

Statistics:

  • 1 in 9 women worldwide can expect to be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.
  • About 6,800 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in Australia each year.
  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 75% of all lung cancer cases.
  • Taxotere has demonstrated a significant response rate in patients with advanced NSCLC who were resistant to cisplatin.
  • Over 2,500 patients have participated in clinical trials of Taxotere worldwide.

Sources:

  • PR Newswire — "Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Announces Taxotere Milestone in Australia" (Oct. 16, 1995)
  • Rhone-Poulenc Rorer press releases available through PRN's Company News On-Call fax service (610-454-3872)