TGA Iressa approval
July 13, 2010
THE TGA has approved IRESSA
(gefitinib) as a first-line treatment in
patients with EGFR gene mutation
positive advanced non-small cell
lung cancer.
IRESSA (gefitinib) provides longer
progression-free survival for
patients and reportedly has significant
advantages over standard
chemotherapy amongst newly
diagnosed advanced NSCLC patients.
As a result of the approval,
clinicians are now calling for
routine EGFR gene mutation
testing in order to determine the
best treatment for patients.
“Although gefitinib has been
available for a number of years in
Australia, this news means we can
now treat patients who have an
activating EGFR mutation, with a
medicine that provides them with
the best progression-free survival as
soon as they are diagnosed,” said
Dr Nick Pavlakis, Head of Dep. of
Medical Oncology at Sydney’s
Royal North Shore Hospital.
“However, to ensure patients
receive the most effective treatment
for their type of lung cancer, EGFR
gene mutation testing must
become a critical component in the
diagnosis of NSCLC,” he added.
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