03/03/2011

A clinical research study, led by Dr. Javier Cortes, head of Program BREAST CANCER from Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and VHIO, has shown that eribulin (chemotherapy drug- Halichondria okadai, animal marine sponge) improves the prognosis of patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer. The study, “A Phase III open-label randomised study (EMBRACE) of eribulin monotherapy versus treatment of physician’s choice in patients with metastatic breast cancer”, is published today in the journal Lancet and its purpose is to demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment.Specifically, the study shows that administration of eribulin is a more effective therapeutic alternative to current treatments for patients with pretreated metastatic breast cancer that have been treated with anthracyclines and taxanes (the two most important drugs to treat any type of cancer breast). The eribulin is an antimicrotubule (chemotherapy drug) that blocks cell division and is toxic to the tumour cell. At present, treatment is intended to apply (once approved by the competent authorities) in patients with advanced breast cancer who have already been treated previously. According to the results of the study, survival of patients treated with this drug has increased, on average, 20%, with results of low toxicity and good tolerance. The clinical study was carried out jointly with research centres from U.S., Czech Republic, France, Russia, Belgium, Spain and England, among others. In November 2010 FDA approved the marketing in the U.S. and it is expected that the European Medicines Agency approves this year (2011). Since its inception in 2008, the Breast Cancer Centre of Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, integrates diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer globally, considering the patient as the cornerstone of the whole process. ‘Endavant i de cara’ is a monographic centre in Breast Cancer, a pioneer in the work to implement and develop a model of medical care and cancer research, reinforced by connections with other centres of national and international research and, importantly, with the pharmaceutical industry. This collaboration provides access to the most innovative and experimental drugs that complement existing ones. The Centre brings together a wide range of medical staff: oncologists, pathologists, surgeons, radiologists, radiation therapists, psycho-oncologists, geneticists and molecular biology, as well as specialized professional in nursing care.