Posted by Michael Wonder on 16 Oct 2018
FDA approves Pfizer's drug for advanced breast cancer
16 October 2018 - The U.S. FDA said on Tuesday it approved Pfizer's drug for an advanced form of breast cancer tied to an inherited gene mutation.
The drug, talazoparib, belongs to a closely watched class of new medicines called PARP inhibitors, which block enzymes involved in repairing damaged DNA, thereby helping to kill cancer cells.
Talazoparib, a once-daily pill that Pfizer acquired with its $14 billion purchase of Medivation in 2016, is indicated for breast cancer triggered by mutation of BRCA genes, which accounts for 25-30% of hereditary breast cancers and 5-10% of all breast cancers.
The FDA also approved Myriad Genetics’ diagnostic test to identify breast cancer patients who are eligible for Pfizer’s talazoparib.
