Roche Drug Proven Worthy To Extend The Life Of Patients Suffering From Breast Cancer

Recently, Roche pharmaceutical manufacturer has given an account of the effective combination therapy against breast cancer. The company reported that the women suffering from breast cancer that tests positive for HER2 protein respond better to combination chemotherapy- Perjeta and Herceptin. Perjeta and Herceptin target the HER2 protein which is produced by a cancer-linked gene and has shown better consequences in breast cancer. Although Herceptin (trastuzumuab) is more commonly used however Roche reports that Perjeta (pertuzumab) injected to patients simultaneously with Herceptin has yielded better outcomes.

According to the company , the life of the victims administered this combination of drugs is expected to increase approx.15.7 months more in contrast to patients given single chemotherapeutic agent-Herceptin. The combined therapy offers longest survival for women with metastatic breast cancers. Overall 25% patients suffer from HER2 breast cancers.

The research concluding such results was conducted on 800 patients suffering from breast cancer. The study was led by Sandra Swain from the Washington Hospital Center. She described the results of her study as exceptional. She made this declaration in an annual congress of European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) in Madrid. Sandra further said that in cases of metastatic cancer, the combo offers more than 16 months of extension.

The drug Perjeta was approved for administration on June 8, 2012. The Pharmaceutical experts are anticipating an increase in Perjeta marketing. The sale is expected to be more than $3 billion by year 2018. Also, the cost for monthly course of Perjeta is similar to the expense of Herceptin. In the U.S. market Perjeta costs $5,900 monthly whereas Herceptin costs $5,300.