Novartis reports positive data from Afinitor study

Novartis has published positive new data from the latest clinical study of Afinitor (everolimus), showing the benefits it can provide to breast cancer patients.

Updated results from the Bolero-2 study have shown that the tablet-based treatment, when combined with the hormonal therapy exemestane, can provide significant survival rate improvements.

Over the course of the study, patients treated using the Afinitor regimen experienced progression-free survival rates of 7.4 months, more than double the 3.2 month average seen among those receiving hormone therapy alone.

Herve Hoppenot, president of Novartis Oncology, observed that there have been no significant treatment advances for ER-positive/HER2-negative advanced breast cancer in more than 15 years.

"The results of Bolero-2 are the first to show everolimus combined with hormonal therapy-enabled women with this type of breast cancer to live significantly longer without their tumour progressing," he added.

Earlier this week, the company published further clinical data on another new drug, the asthma therapy Xolair, showing the cost-effectiveness benefits it offers to UK healthcare providers.