Afinitor (everolimus) has been licensed in the UK for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer after the failure of treatments that prevent the growth of the tumour’s blood vessels.
The European Commission (EC) approved everolimus for this use on 3rd August 2009, prior to which there were no licensed treatment options for patients whose cancer progressed while on or after treatment with these targeted therapies.
“I am delighted that there is now a proven treatment option available to people living with advanced kidney cancer in the UK who have progressed after treatment with a targeted therapy. The availability of Afinitor is an important step in ensuring this population of poor prognosis patients have the potential to control their disease further,” said Professor Tim Eisen, Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Cambridge.
Data show that everolimus, when compared with placebo, more than doubled the median time without tumour growth or fatality in patients with advanced kidney cancer whose disease progressed following prior vascular targeted therapy (4.9 vs. 1.9 months).
James Whale, Founder of The James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer, said: “We at the Fund are pleased everolimus has been granted a license in the UK as, given the poor prognosis of kidney cancer, it is critical for people living with the disease to have access to life-extending treatments. This has been proven to provide benefit to kidney cancer patients, enabling them to spend precious time with family and friends.”