Drug kills cancer in quarter of leukaemia patients

A new drug has eliminated cancer in almost a quarter of patients with advanced leukaemia, early trial results show, in a breakthrough that also shows promise for the treatment of other cancers.

Melbourne patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were the first in the world to receive the drug, ABT-199, developed by scientists from two US drug companies in partnership with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

Preliminary findings reported overnight at the American Society of Haematology annual meeting in New Orleans reveal the drug has achieved outstanding results in a phase one trial of 67 patients – clearing cancer in 23 per cent of patients and achieving partial remission in a further 61 per cent.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute chair of haematology, John Seymour, said while trials were at an early stage, the drug's success was unprecedented. "Patients on the trial were typically incurable, with an average life expectancy of up to 18 months, so to see complete clearance of cancer in nearly one quarter of these patients after taking this single therapy is incredibly encouraging," he said.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/drug-kills-cancer-in-quarter-of-leukaemia-patients-20131211-2z4gb.html#ixzz2n7aA5tPC

Drug kills cancer in quarter of leukaemia patients

Drug kills cancer in quarter of leukaemia patients

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