Novartis reports benefit of Zomet in early-stage breast cancer

Novartis has announced the results of a major independent trial showing the significant anticancer benefit of Zometa (zoledronic acid) in women with early-stage breast cancer.

The company reports that, when added to hormone therapy following surgery, the compound significantly reduced the risk of cancer returning or death by 36 per cent beyond that achieved solely with hormone therapy.

It adds that these results may facilitate an improved standard of care for women diagnosed with hormone-sensitive, early stage breast cancer prior to the menopause.

Novartis notes that these results from the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group are the first published from a large clinical programme assessing the direct anticancer effect of the compound in breast, prostate and lung cancer.

David Epstein, president and chief executive officer of oncology at Novartis, said: “These results represent a tremendous advance for women hoping to prevent the return of their cancer.

“We continue to explore the anticancer benefit of Zometa in a large clinical program with nearly 20,000 patients in ten trials worldwide.”

He added that the company expects results from these trials to be published over the next two to three years.

Last month, Novartis reported that its cancer treatment RAD001 (everolimus) would be a key feature of its presentations at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.