Lapatinib has been proved to be as effective as Herceptin, the current superstar drug used in the treatment of the condition. Researchers are of the opinion that the drug can help stave off the dreaded end in advanced cases of a specific type of breast cancerdefine and prolong the lifespan of patients in that stage. 25 percent of all breast cancer patients suffer from this particular type of cancer.
Priced only a tad bit higher than Herceptin, Lapatinib is all set to lend a new perspective to cancer treatment. The new drug has already received its European license and is currently available as a prescribed drug in the UK.
However, for all breast cancers to gain access to Lapatinib to be available to all patients under the aegis of the National Health Service, requires a mandatory nod from the government's drug advisory body, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE said it could possibly lay down the essential guidelines over the next few weeks and announce its final stand over the next few months.
Lapatinib, also known as Tyverb, was used by cancer campaigner Jane Tomlinson after she participated in a clinical trial for the drug. Though Jane did not survive, Mike Tomlinson, her husband, praised the drug and advocated its use so breast cancer patients could benefit from it.
Citing the angst of thousands of cancer sufferers with whom she regularly interacts on the helpline, Antonia Dean, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Care, commented: "As the treatment is licensed for use in the UK we hope to see an appraisal by NICE follow shortly, enabling rapid and equal access to the drug for everyone who could benefit from it."
Other people from the field also had their share of comments regarding this development. Dr Alexis Willett, policy manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, spoke along the same lines, expecting a positive outcome of the NICE appraisal "as soon as possible.” According to the Breast Cancer Campaign’s chief executive Pamela Goldberg, the use of Lapatinib could prove a lifesaver for as many as 2,000 women in UK annually.
The trauma that breast cancer patients suffer, particularly those in the advanced stages, is known to all. However, now there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel, and all are eagerly awaiting the acceptance of Lapatinib, which is being hailed as cancer therapy’s ‘wonder drug’.
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