Astellas launches Xtandi for prostate cancer in UK

Astellas has announced the UK launch of Xtandi, a new therapy for advanced prostate cancer that has proven resistant to first-line hormonal treatments and progressed following docetaxel chemotherapy.

The enzalutamide-based therapy's UK licence has been granted based on pivotal trial data showing it can deliver a 37 percent reduction in the risk of death versus placebo, as well as being generally well tolerated.

It is being made available in England via the Cancer Drugs Fund and represents a potentially important new therapy option for the growing number of men affected by prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer type among males in the UK.

Johann de Bono, professor of experimental cancer medicine at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, said: "Enzalutamide has already demonstrated a positive impact on quality of life whilst increasing the lifespan of patients with this common disease. Its use will bring significant benefits."

Xtandi was granted an EU marketing authorisation by the European Commission last month.