Coventry breast cancer patients among those to test innovative drug

PATIENTS at University Hospital were among those to trial a new breast cancer drug.

Data from trials for drug Perjeta indicated it reduces the risk of death by up to a third in patients with previously untreated breast cancer when compared with current standards.

The study, by the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, showed a 'clear and improving' benefit for HER2-positive patients over fellow drug Herceptin and chemotherapy alone.

Over 800 cancer sufferers took part in the trial overall. University Hospital did not release figures of how many patients had taken part.

Professor Chris Poole, Professor of Medical Oncology at the Walsgrave site, said the results were impressive.

"To find a treatment that can control HER2-positive breast cancer for longer and extend patients’ lives compared with the current gold-standard is rare – especially when it does not compromise quality of life.

"Perjeta has been shown to boost the effects of Herceptin, which revolutionised the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer over a decade ago.

"This development marks an exciting step forward and will positively alter the outlook and outcomes for patients with this aggressive form of cancer in the future."

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