Roche finds drug effective on multiple cancers

Roche has found its drug Herceptin (trastuzumab), which has been previously proved to be effective for those with HER2-positve breast cancer, is now effective on other forms of the disease.

The results from an international phase III trial discovered administrating the treatment along with standard chemotherapy had significant benefits to patients with HER2-positive stomach (gastric) cancer.

It was investigated in sufferers with advanced and inoperable forms of the disease as the first therapy and was found to significantly prolong their lives.

William M Burns, chief executive officer of Roche’s pharmaceutical division, explained there are currently very few treatment options for advanced stomach cancer, which can prove to be a devastating illness.

He commented: “Consequently, the targeted therapy Herceptin will become an integral part of treatment for this type of cancer.”

Earlier this week, the firm announced it had signed an agreement under which it would acquire the whole of the provider of automated cell analysis solutions Innovatis.

Roche hopes the merger will take it a step further in its strategy to be a complete provider of research within this field.