Roche Holding AG's (OTC:RHHBY) Xeloda, which is the first FDA approved oral chemotherapy for metastatic breast and colorectal cancer, has proven to be more convenient and have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.
In a study of almost 2000 patients, research showed that 71% of patients were still alive after 5 years, after having been given Xeloda, as compared to 68% of those that received standard chemotherapy injections. The study also showed that patients treated with Xeloda spent 85% less time with their doctor or in hospitals and experienced fewer side effects.
"Standard chemotherapy can be incredibly disruptive to people's lives," said Prof Professor Chris Twelves of the University of Leeds, who led the research. "Patients visit hospital five days a week for the injections and then have three weeks off before returning to hospital for the next course - and the side effects can be unpleasant."
Xeloda has also been approved, in Europe, for use with chemotherapy, for treatment of advanced stomach cancer. About 945,000 people are diagnosed annually with colorectal cancer however the disease is curable if caught early.
Check out this interesting article on Combination vs Sequential Chemotherapy for more information on studies of different colorectal cancer treatments.
[Source: University of Leeds]
» Roche's Xeloda Gets EC Approval from PharmaGazette
The European Commission has approved Roche's oral chemotherapy Xeloda for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in combination with any chemotherapy with or without Avastin.The approval of the new indication will allow more patients that have c... [Read More]
Tracked on: February 20, 2008 3:20 PM | Permalink to Trackback