Pharmacy Daily | TGA Zytiga approval

AUSTRALIAN patients can now access Zytiga (abiraterone), the first oral therapy to prolong life and improve the quality of life of men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer whose disease has progressed after chemotherapy. Following its TGA approval, the drug is now registered for use in combination with prednisone or prednisolone in patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer who have received prior chemotherapy containing a taxane. The drug belongs to a new class of treatment known as androgen biosynthesis inhibitors, and targets prostate cancer cell growth by inhibiting the production of androgens at all sites: in the prostate tumour; the testes; and adrenal glands. The approval follows a study involving 1,195 men with metastatic (castrate-resistant) prostate cancer, where the combination of Zytiga and prednisone achieved a 35% reduction in the risk of death when compared to placebo plus prednisone (P overall survival of almost four months compared to placebo (14.8 months compared to 10.9 months).

---

The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 12 Jun 12
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 12 Jun 12