GlaxoSmithKline receives EU approval for soft tissue sarcoma treatment

GlaxoSmithKline has been granted European regulatory approval for the use of Votrient in the treatment of certain advanced soft tissue sarcoma (aSTS) subtypes.

The European Commission has ratified the drug for use among aSTS patients who have received prior chemotherapy or have progressed within 12 months after adjuvant therapy.

Votrient's safety and efficacy among patients with a number of specific STS histological tumour subtypes has been established in clinical trials, carried out in association with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

The drug is already approved in the EU as a first-line therapy for renal cell carcinoma.

Dr Paolo Paoletti, president of GlaxoSmithKline Oncology, said: "The approval of Votrient for this diverse group of tumours marks progress for patients who have seen few new treatment options in decades."

Earlier this week, the company submitted applications for its new cancer drugs dabrafenib and trametinib to the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration.