The lung cancer drug erlotinib
(Tarceva) treats a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer. 10% to 30%
of lung cancer cases fall into this category. In a randomized phase III
clinical trial, erlotinib, in tablet form, was compared to the current best treatment;
platinum-based doublet chemotherapy.
The trial measured and compared progression free survival
(PFS) and overall survival (OS). The experimental drug performed significantly
better in both measures. The median age of participants was 65, more than two
out of three were women, and most had never smoked. There was tumor shrinkage
in 65% of those taking erlotinib and 16% of those receiving chemotherapy.
This is another example of the power and efficiency of
the clinical trials process. As a result of a clinical trial a new and improved
treatment is now available.
Erlotinib is sold by Genentech as
Tarceva. You can find more information on their website.
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To put a smile on your face see Larry's latest cartoon.
To learn more about clinical trials, take a look at our book.
(c) 2012 Tom Beer and Larry Axmaker
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