The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Tykerb (lapatinib), a new targeted anti-cancer treatment, to be used in combination with capectabine (Xeloda), another cancer drug to treat advanced metastatic breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 180,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. Approximately 8,000 to 10,000 women die from metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer each year.

“Today’s approval is a step forward in making new treatments available for patients who have progression of their breast cancer after treatment with some of the most effective breast cancer therapies available,” said Steven Galson, MD, M.P.H., Director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “New targeted therapies such as Tykerb are helping expand options for patients.”

The most commonly reported Tykerb-related side effects included diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash and hand-foot syndrome which may include numbness, tingling, redness, swelling and discomfort of hands and feet. Generally reversible decreases in heart function (that can lead to shortness of breath) have also been reported in a small percentage of patients. Patients should talk to their doctor about potential side effects, potential drug interactions, and other medical conditions including heart and liver problems. Tykerb is available in tablets of 250 mg. An undivided dose of 1,250 mg should be taken orally once daily for 21 days and in combination with capecitabine on days 1-14 of a 21 day cycle.

[tags]Tykerb, GlaxoSmithKline, metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer, breast cancer, FDA[/tags]