Promising new drugs against cancer
UZA in Antwerpdoing promising research into the effects of a new drug for lung cancer that is likely under the name Xalkori (also called Crizotinib) will be placed on the market. The results are very positive and bodes well for some patients with advanced stage lung cancer. Only lung cancer patients with an ALK-specific altered gene is active, the drug treatment. In Belgium, every year more than 7000 new cases of lung cancer. 85% are non-small cell lung cancer traditionally is treated with chemotherapy, sometimes in combination with surgery or radiotherapy. The majority of lung cancer patients at the time of diagnosis, however, already advanced or metastatic disease where the prognosis is not as favorable. For 5 to 10 percent of these patients there is hope. It was discovered that they see a change in the ALK gene responsible for tumor growth. The ALK-deviation is most common in young, non-smoking lung cancer patients. They can be treated with Xalkori, a new drug that causes the modified ALK gene inactive can be put so that the tumor does not grow further and even shriveled .This allows the life of the patient 8 months to several years may be extended. Unfortunately, this type of cancer also can not cure today. Xalkori in Europe is not freely available on the market because it is still in testing stage. In theU.S. it is already commercialized. Patients eligible for treatment with Xaltori, the drug can be obtained from their physician (in the context of a trial or a “compassionate use” program).