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Last update - 10:56 09/01/2007 New drug for advanced breast cancer being tested in Israel By Relly Sa'ar, Haaretz Correspondent This year, a number of Israeli women suffering from advanced breast cancer will be able to receive free of charge a still-experimental new cancer medication as part of a clinical trial also being conducted in the United States and Europe. The new medication, called Tykerb, is intended for women whose breast cancer is not responding to medication, and has metastasized, spreading to the bones, the brain, and other areas. At this phase, there is usually no way to fight the disease, and the role of the medicine is to help stop the spread of malignant cancer cells and to lessen the fierce pain they bring. Tykerb targets two types of proteins located inside the cell membrane, which encourage the cultivation of cancerous cells, and their potential to spread metastasis from the breasts to the vital organs. Advertisement In a study published 10 days ago in the New England Journal of Medicine, Tykerb was found to be successful in doubling the life expectancy of breast cancer patients, when used in conjunction with other medications. According to Professor Tal Zaks from the University of Pennsylvania, director of breast cancer research for Glaxo Smith Kline, the pharmaceutical company which manufacturers the medication, around 250 women in Israel suffering from breast cancer could be helped by the medication. The clinical trial is part of the "expanded accessibility program" operated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medical Projects (EMEA). Dr. Balah Kaufmann, director of the breast cancer unit at the cancer research center at Shiba hospital in Tel Aviv, succeeded in convincing the Health Ministry to include Israeli women in the research program. The medication is currently in the process of being approved in the United States and Europe, and afterwards will be approved for use in Israel. A total of 324 women from medical centers around Israel, the United States, and Europe have taken part in the research. Half of the women were treated with chemotherapy only, and the other half were treated with chemotherapy combined with the use of Tykerb. According to Dr. Kaufmann, the research found that the combined treatment slowed the spread of malignant cancer cells for a period of around 38 weeks, while those who received chemotherapy alone showed a halt of only 19 weeks. The expanded accessibility program is being conducted at Shiba hospital, Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv, and Kaplan hospital in Rehovot. Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem and Rambam hospital in Haifa are also slated to take part in the program. Pharmaceutical companies in Israel have stated that the price of Tykerb is not yet known, although they have said that the 7-8 years spent developing the drug will be a consideration in the cost. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Religious pressure Tel Aviv supermarket chain agrees gradual Shabbat closure. Overgenerous diplomacy UN envoy: Israel has given Syria a 'huge gift' for free.   1.   I`m still waiting for a scientific achievement..... 13:33  |  Hastaroth 09/01/07   2.   #1 & #2, You are both out of Line 14:46  |  Esther 09/01/07   3.   #1 & #2, You are both out of Line 14:46  |  Esther 09/01/07   4.   Esther you should wear glasses 15:25  |  Hastaroth 09/01/07   5.   The Greek 16:54  |  EE 09/01/07   6.   Israel ....Life Sciences 17:00  |  leon 09/01/07   7.   Arrogance 18:47  |  Baladi 09/01/07   8.   New drug for advanced breast cancer being tested in Israel 20:01  |  robin 09/01/07   9.   #7 Baladi 14:34  |  Jan Vlaming 18/06/08

Read & React Israel okays Gaza truce, will take effect Thursday Responses: 156 M. Arens: Olmert dead wrong for saying next U.S. President won't be as friendly as Bush Responses: 25 Sarkozy aide: Olmert and Assad could meet in Paris next month Responses: 37 Editorial: Law to ban Arab MKs from visiting enemy states is an insulting PR ploy Responses: 18 ANALYSIS / Cease-fire deal means Hamas is calling the shots Responses: 44 Rosner's Domain Guests: Weak relationship between later marriage and intermarriage To Republicans Iran's a threat, to Democrats not so much (WTR) Dovish Jewish lobby endorses seven candidates Poll: Cease fire in Gaza is an achievement for... Obama, McCain aides agree: Israel, U.S. must discuss strike on Iran More Headlines 14:30 Israel okays Gaza truce, says will ease blockade 14:38 Israel says it's ready to begin peace talks with Lebanon 14:41 Sarkozy aide: Olmert and Assad could meet in Paris next month 13:53 Syrian FM: We back Gaza truce, hope Israel fulfills commitments 12:23 ANALYSIS / Cease-fire deal means Hamas is calling the shots 14:25 Shas MK: 300,000 Jews still in Ethiopia eligible for immigration 13:34 MKs back referendum on Golan, East Jerusalem withdrawals 13:16 King of Jordan: 'Serious mistake' to miss chance for Israeli-Palestinian peace by end of 2008 08:48 Civil Administration officials indicted in West Bank land steal 12:03 State, primary school teachers strike NIS 5.5 billion labor pact 07:16 Holocaust survivors from former USSR denied reparations 07:20 Czech leader pledges to advance EU-Israel relations 12:17 Nahariya hospital pioneering method to detect cervical cancer virus Previous Editions Select Day 17 jun 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun

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