Life-prolonging drug for advanced ovarian cancer gets go-ahead in England
Summary
NHS England has approved a new drug called mirvetuximab soravtansine (Elahere) to treat a specific type of advanced ovarian cancer that is resistant to standard chemotherapy. This drug targets cancer cells with a specific protein and has been shown to slow cancer growth and extend patients’ lives by several months.Key Facts
- Mirvetuximab soravtansine is the first new drug approved in over 20 years for resistant ovarian cancer.
- The drug targets tumors with the folate receptor-alpha (FRα) protein and treats platinum-resistant ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancers.
- It is given by intravenous drip every three weeks.
- A global study at eight NHS hospitals showed the drug delayed cancer progression and extended survival by about four months compared to chemotherapy.
- About 37% of patients saw tumor shrinkage of at least 30% with this drug, compared to 16% with chemotherapy.
- Up to 400 women in England a year could benefit from this treatment.
- The drug combines an antibody that locates cancer cells and a molecule that kills them from inside.
- NHS England and cancer experts call this a major advance offering new hope to patients with few options.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.