The drug equivalent to a molecule found in sea sponges prolongs the lives of women with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, the researchers said at the 46th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
This largest congress in the world gathers 28-30 thousand people every year. cancer specialists, was held on June 4-8 in Chicago.
Dr. Chris Twelves from the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Leeds, who conducts research on the new drug, reminded that every year breast cancer is diagnosed in approximately 1 million women worldwide. In half of them, it is a recurrent or metastatic cancer, for which current therapies are ineffective. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic molecules is constantly ongoing.
Scientists under the supervision of Dr. Twelves tested a synthetic equivalent of halichondrin B present in marine sponges. It is eribulin mesylate (or eribulin mesylate), which has the ability to inhibit cell division. The compound stabilizes microtubules, filaments responsible for the separation of genetic material into daughter cells. Its action, however, differs from taxanes traditionally used in chemotherapy.
The study included 762 patients with recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, 508 of whom received the new compound, and the remaining patients with one of the available therapies selected by their doctor.
It turned out that patients receiving eribulin survived on average 13,1 months, while patients in the second group – 10,7 months. The new drug therefore extended women’s lives by an average of 2,5 months. The progression-free period was also longer in the group receiving it.
Among the most serious side effects of eribulin, Dr. Twelves mentioned neutropenia (a reduction in the number of immune cells called granulocytes), neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nerves), and fatigue. Severe side effects were found in 10 percent. female patients.
Until now, there has been no standard of care for women with advanced breast cancer. For those women who have already received all known therapies, these results are promising. They mean that eribulin could become a new therapeutic option for this particular group, Dr Twelves said at a press conference. (PAP)