A new drug to slow the spread of breast cancer in an incurable form has been used by the UK National Health Service, marking a significant development in cancer treatment. Capivasertib, a two-time pill from Astrazeneca and also known as TRUQAP, will be provided to patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, a common advanced breast cancer, the National Institute of Health and Care Institute of Excellence announced Friday.
The decision, called a “mile-mark moment” by scientists, can benefit more than 1,000 women each year. Drug-target cancer with specific gene mutations and spreads in breast tissue or other parts of the body. By blocking the action of abnormal proteins that drive cancer cell growth, Capivasertib is designed to slow or stop the progression of the disease and may prolong the patient’s life.
Helen Knight, director of drug evaluation at Nice, pointed out the importance of the drug, especially for patients with limited treatment options. “People with advanced breast cancer will value treatments such as Capivasertib, which can be given when there are limited options, as this may delay chemotherapy and its associated side effects,” she said.
Results from clinical trials showed that combining cassiteper with hormone therapy was delayed by about 4.2 months compared to patients given a placebo with fallopian agent. The Institute of London, London, involved decades of research on the drug development, approved this time.
“This announcement is a win that will improve treatment for these most common advanced breast cancer patients,” said Kristian Helin, CEO of ICR. “About half of these breast cancer patients suffer from mutations in one or more genes, for which Capivasertib can stop the disease from progressing.”
According to Nice, 40,192 people diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK in 2020 were found to be in advanced stages at the time of diagnosis.
