Sanofi Aventis’ UK Taxotere approval welcomed by charity

The approval of Sanofi-Aventis’ Taxotere as an adjuvant treatment for women with early node-positive breast cancer has been welcomed by Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a breast cancer charity.

Yesterday, NICE announced it had issued guidance explaining that Taxotere could be administered to early-stage breast cancer patients after surgery, although it said that paclitaxel, a cancer drug belonging to the same class of drug as Taxotere, would not be recommended due to gaps in current evidence.

Dr Sarah Rawlings, head of policy and information at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said the charity was pleased about NICE’s decision and added that it understood the decision not to approve paclitaxel because of evidence gaps.

She remarked: “The approval of docetaxel will result in greater chemotherapy choice for patients with early breast cancer, something which women tell us is very important.

“Anyone who has questions about their chemotherapy treatment and potential side effects should speak to their doctor.”

“This decision also brings England and Wales into line with Scotland which has already recommended this drug,” she concluded.

Taxotere is already used in lung cancer, prostate cancer and stomach cancer. The drug has been shown as improving survival times in advanced breast cancer patients to a greater extent than Taxol, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Last week, Sanofi-Aventis said it had supplied and mobilised 5.5 tonnes worth of drugs bound for Lebanon, including anti-inflammatories, analgesics and antibiotics.

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