FDA expands use of AstraZeneca/Merck ovarian cancer drugThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday expanded the use of Lynparza, sold by AstraZeneca Plc and Merck & Co Inc, to include ongoing treatment of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who have responded to platinum-based chemotherapy. The agency also approved a new two-tablet regimen for the drug, regardless of whether patients test positive for BRCA genetic mutations associated with high risk for the cancer. The drug was previously approved for treating advanced ovarian cancer in women who had stopped responding to at least three earlier rounds of chemotherapy. AstraZeneca announced last month a deal with Merck to develop and commercialize Lynparza, including in combination with other cancer drugs such as Merck's Keytruda immunotherapy. The drug is also being investigated in prostate and pancreatic cancer.

Source: VietNamNet News August 17, 2017 21:22 UTC