New Pill Increases Life Expectancy for Breast Cancer

A new treatment for breast cancer, the pill Abemaciclib (Verzenio), appears to significantly improve survival rates and reduce the risk of recurrence in patients with early-stage cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.

According to Lilly Oncology, a Phase 3 clinical trial showed that the drug significantly reduces the likelihood of recurrence. The data comes from seven years of follow-up and will be presented at an upcoming medical conference.

Verzenio was initially approved in 2017 by the FDA for metastatic, HR+ breast cancer, and in 2023 its use was extended to patients with early-stage cancer at high risk of recurrence. The treatment works in combination with hormone therapy.

The trial involved 5,637 patients with HER2-negative, HR+ breast cancer.

Source: ERT