Kidney cancer drug found to prolong breast cancer patient survival time

Researchers from Novartis Oncology have found that combining a kidney cancer drug with hormonal therapy doubles breast cancer patients’ survival.

They also found that by using the combination of therapies cancer progression risk was reduced by 57% in comparison to using hormonal therapy alone. The drug in question, everolimus, is typically used to treat renal cell carcinoma and is the first drug to exhibit an effect on women with advanced breast cancer when combined with hormonal therapy.

In a study on 724 patients the progression-free survival was raised to 6.9 months from the 2.8 months of women who were on hormonal therapy alone. The researchers are looking into the possibility of administering everolimus in conjunction with hormone therapy to treat advanced breast cancer.
 

Abnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. Full medical glossary
A malignant tumour (cancer) that is formed from the epithelium, the tissue that covers the open surfaces of organs. Full medical glossary
The basic unit of all living organisms. Full medical glossary
A substance produced by a gland in one part of the body and carried by the blood to the organs or tissues where it has an effect. Full medical glossary
One of two bean-shaped organs that are located on either side of the body, below the ribcage. The main role of the kidneys is to filter out waste products from the blood. Full medical glossary
A craving to eat non-food substances such as earth or coal. Full medical glossary
Relating to the kidney. Full medical glossary