Roche and Genentech report positive breast cancer trial data

Roche and Genentech have reported positive new clinical trial data showing the efficacy their new drug trastuzumab emtansine can provide against breast cancer.

Data from Emilia, the first randomised phase III study of the investigational compound, has indicated that the drug can offer significant progression-free survival improvements compared to an alternative combination therapy.

Though final results for overall survival rates were not yet mature, the current findings will be used to support regulatory approval of the treatment in the US and Europe later this year.

Trastuzumab emtansine is designed specifically for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer and is the latest new personalised therapy option being developed by Roche.

Dr Hal Barron, chief medical officer and head of global product development at Roche, said: "Trastuzumab emtansine represents a new approach for the treatment of people with HER2-positive breast cancer that comes from our decades of research on the HER pathway."

Last week, Roche published new clinical data from a trial of another breast cancer treatment, Herceptin, showing the potential benefits of a new subcutaneous administration method.