Eli Lilly highlights Gemzar for ovarian cancer treatment

Eli Lilly has welcomed the use of Gemzar to treat ovarian cancer. Currently available in the UK and used to treat a variety of cancers including non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Yesterday the FDA approved the use of Gemzar in combination with carboplatin for the treatment of women with advanced ovarian cancer who have relapsed after at least six months following initial therapy.

Richard Gaynor, vice president of cancer research and global oncology at Lilly, said the approval marked the company’s first step towards introducing treatments for ovarian cancer, which could see the drug approved for use in the UK as an ovarian cancer treatment.

He remarked: “Ovarian cancer is a devastating disease and we’re honoured that Lilly’s research and innovation have brought about a clinical advance for women living with this disease.”

Robert Ozols of the Fox Chase Cancer Centre in Philadelphia added: “Ovarian cancer is marked by one of the highest recurrence rates of all women’s cancers and when it does progress, it is frequently accompanied by significant symptoms that impede daily activities.”

He concluded: “The Gemzar combination can help us aggressively address this recurrent disease with increased clinical efficacy and generally manageable side effects.”

Gemzar is Lilly’s biggest-selling drug, last year bringing in sales of $1.3 billion. It has been approved for use in 90 countries and has also reached its tenth anniversary of use in the US.

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