Roche reports positive data from breast cancer trial

Roche has announced results from a phase III clinical trial that demonstrates the benefits its new drug trastuzumab emtansine can offer to breast cancer patients.

Data from the Emilia study showed that Roche and Genentech's compound significantly extended the lives of people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, compared to an alternative combination therapy.

Based on these updated overall survival results, people in the control arm of Emilia will be offered the option to receive trastuzumab emtansine for the duration of the study.

A regulatory application for trastuzumab emtansine has already been submitted in the US, while a European filing will also be forthcoming shortly.

Dr Hal Barron, chief medical officer and head of global product development, said: "We look forward to working with regulatory authorities in the hope of bringing another potential treatment option to people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer."

Earlier this month, the company was requested by the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to provide additional clinical data on its skin cancer therapy Zelboraf, in order to support a potential recommendation.