Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
04 November 2014 11:55
Experts have found that eribulin can extend the lives of women with aggressive forms of breast cancer by several months
Giving breast cancer patients a drug made from sea sponges can extend their lives by several months, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of Leeds carried out two large-scale trials with more than 1,800 participants who had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
They found that the drug eribulin extended the women's survival by an average of more than two months.
Women who had advanced triple negative breast cancer - an aggressive form of the disease for which there are few treatment options - benefited the most from the drug, with their lifespans increasing by almost five months.
Those with HER2 negative breast cancer lived more than two months longer when given eribulin, it was found.
Martin Ledwick, head information nurse at Cancer Research UK, described the results as "encouraging" for those women whose cancers no longer respond to conventional treatments.
He said that eribulin is not a cure but an additional option to extend patients' lives - which could be "priceless" for the women and their families. It may give them the option to spend valuable time with their family and friends, or to embark on a holiday with the security provided by specialist travel insurance for cancer patients.
The drug was originally derived from Halichondria okadai, a sea sponge, although it is now produced in laboratories.
Chris Twelves, professor of clinical cancer pharmacology and oncology at the University of Leeds, said the findings show that eribulin can lead to a "substantial improvement" in women's survival rates.
He pointed out that, while the drug was previously only available for women who had undergone several rounds of chemotherapy, the EU has now also approved it for those who have not received as much treatment.
The findings of the study were presented at the National Cancer Research Institute's cancer conference in Liverpool.
14 November 2018
Leukaemia patients are now a step closer to personalised treatments after a British study looked at the role gene mutations play in blood cancers.
[more...]
13 November 2018
A quick scan of the blood vessels in a patient's neck could soon be a critical part of future dementia screening, new research has suggested.
10 November 2018
The NHS spends more than £1 billion a year on prescriptions for people with diabetes, new figures show.
09 November 2018
Woman who smoke, have diabetes, or high blood pressure are more likely to suffer a heart attack than men with the same risk factors, a new study claims.
08 November 2018
Millions of UK pensioners feel they don't have anyone they can turn to for help, a leading charity has warned.
07 November 2018
Over a quarter of medical workers are still reluctant to recommend e-cigarettes to smokers despite being told to do so by health authorities, a new survey has revealed.
06 November 2018
A new direct flight between Manchester and Mumbai could boost the economy of northern England to the tune of £400 million, a new report suggests.
02 November 2018
Air travellers could soon face restrictions on the amount of alcohol they can drink before flying, under plans currently being considered by the government.
01 November 2018
A vegan diet could help people living with diabetes to better manage their condition, a new review suggests.
31 October 2018
Electric planes could soon be flying on short-haul routes in Europe, according to the boss of EasyJet.
30 October 2018
UK air travellers waste up to £175 million every year on seat allocations that they don't need, a new study has revealed.
27 October 2018
Nearly a third of pregnant women had their labour induced last year, leading experts to link the figure with rising maternal age and obesity.