Roche’s breast cancer Perjeta decreased the risk of cancer returning in women whose tumors could be entirely removed using surgery, but the results were less impressive than what doctors hoped for -- or what investors expected. But they could benefit Puma Biotechnology, a small company that has developed a rival drug, neratinib. At the end of three years, cancer did not come back in 91.8% of the patients who received Perjeta, compared to 89.2% of those who were in the control group. That’s a total difference of 1.8%, but a 20% reduction in the risk of the cancer recurring. DiMichelle says studies have shown that many patients will choose to endure side effects even for a 1% reduction in risk of cancer coming back.

Source: Forbes June 05, 2017 11:37 UTC