New breast cancer treatment in France

Tuesday, 10 July 2012 11:27 AM

A new treatment for breast cancer has launched in France - and doctors say they have seen good results in advanced patients, particulary in women who have had a lot of prior treatment already, such as chemotherapy, an anthracycline and a taxane.

Halaven (also known as eribulin) is now being prescribed for patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have progressed after at least two chemotherapy treatments for advanced disease. Research shows it has been effective in increasing survival time.

There are approximately 13,400 new cases of metastatic breast cancer every year in France and it is estimated that up to 7,400 patients will be able to benefit from eribulin per year in France.

Dr Joseph Gligorov from Tenon Hospital APHP, Paris, France, said: "From my clinical experience of eribulin to date, this drug is a promising treatment option for women with heavily pre-treated breast cancer. I have treated many women with eribulin who have had a good experience, not only regarding the efficacy but also the side effect profile that is expected and manageable."

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