GlaxoSmithKline seeks approval for new breast cancer drug

The coming few months might offer a ray of hope to thousands of women suffering from breast cancer across Europe as GlaxoSmithKline launches its revolutionary pill. The pill, taken orally has been proved successful during trials in significantly delaying the cancer from reaching advanced stages.The drug, called Tykerb, whose chemical name is lapatinib ditosylate is particularly beneficial for women who have suffered longer from breast cancer, causing it to spread to other organs as well. An experimental trial conducted on 324 women who had late stage cancer showed that the drug delayed further spread of cancer considerably. The women were divided into two groups, one of which took Tykerb in combination with Roche Holding AG's Xeloda, while the second group took only Xeloda.