
On Monday, US authorities approved a new drug for treating the most common form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, which is rarely lethal but can spread if left untreated.
Erivedge (vismodegib) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration after an expedited review for drugs that offer the potential for major advances in treatment. It is made by Genentech, a US subsidiary of the Swiss drug giant Roche and is the first of its kind for patients basal cell carcinoma has spread either locally or to other parts of the body, or metastasized.
“The drug is intended for use in patients with locally advanced basal cell cancer who are not candidates for surgery or radiation and for patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body,” said the FDA.
“Our understanding of molecular pathways involved in cancer, such as the Hedgehog pathway, has enabled the development of targeted drugs for specific diseases,” said Richard Pazdur, director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
“This approach is becoming more common and will potentially allow cancer drugs to be developed more quickly. This is important for patients who will have access to more effective therapies with potentially fewer side effects.”