Australian biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics Australia (STA) is pleased to announce Abraxane (nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel) in combination with gemcitabine, will be reimbursed via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer from the 1st of November. 

In Australia, pancreatic cancer is the 5th most common cause of cancer mortality. Pancreatic cancer accounts for 6% of all cancer deaths, with the lowest 5-year survival of all common cancers at 5.2%.

Abraxane was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in March 2014 with the following indication:
Abraxane, in combination with gemcitabine, is indicated for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

For more details, go to: http://www.specialisedtherapeutics.com.au/index.php?q=oct-2014-sta-announces-breakthrough-cancer-drug-abraxane-to-be-pbs-listed-for-metastatic-pancreatic-cancer.html