Capivasertib: A breakthrough drug for advanced breast cancer patients
In a clinical trial of 708 women, when capivasertib was combined with hormone therapy, it doubled the time before cancer progressed, from 3.6 months to 7.3 months.
A new drug, capivasertib, has been approved for use in England's NHS, offering a significant treatment option for women battling advanced breast cancer.
The drug, according to BBC, which targets a protein molecule known as AKT, can slow the progression of the disease and shrink tumors in about one-quarter of patients.
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Capivasertib, a targeted therapy, has been shown in clinical trials to extend the time before cancer begins to grow again and provide hope for those dealing with hormone receptor-positive secondary breast cancer, the most common type.
It works by blocking the activity of AKT, a protein that drives cancer growth, which can have a powerful effect on treating advanced cases. The drug is expected to benefit approximately 3,000 women annually in the UK.
Professor Nick Turner, the lead researcher behind the drug’s development, called it "the most effective cancer drug we've seen for advanced cancer.
"It presents a very effective option that can work for a long time - many months, and in some people it can be years," he told BBC.
In a clinical trial of 708 women, when capivasertib was combined with hormone therapy, it doubled the time before cancer progressed, from 3.6 months to 7.3 months. In addition, 23 percent of patients saw their tumors shrink.
Gene mutations
While capivasertib offers a new approach to treating advanced breast cancer, it is important to note that it is most effective for patients with certain gene mutations, affecting up to half of those with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. These mutations can cause cancer to grow more rapidly in the presence of estrogen.
Linda Kelly, a 67-year-old patient who has benefited from capivasertib, shared her positive experience with the drug.
"It does let you have a normal kind of life, and you forget you have cancer," Kelly said.
Diagnosed with breast cancer that had spread to her bones and chest wall, she credits capivasertib with giving her nearly four extra years of life. "It’s given me nearly four years of extra time," she said, describing how the drug has allowed her to continue living actively and pursue plans, including future travel.
However, not all patients have had a smooth path to accessing the drug. Initially, capivasertib was rejected by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), leading to delays in its availability.
Claire Rowney, chief executive of the charity Breast Cancer Now, expressed her concern over these delays and called for faster approval of breast cancer drugs.
"NHS England must now put in place prompt genetic testing to ensure those eligible receive capivasertib without further delay," Rowney urged. She also called for Scotland to consider funding the drug to provide nationwide access.
Despite the hurdles, capivasertib represents a significant step forward in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. It provides an additional option for patients whose cancer has progressed despite other treatments, helping to improve the quality of life and offering hope for those facing an otherwise uncertain future.
As the NHS rolls out access to this treatment, more women will have the opportunity to benefit from it, as long as they meet the necessary genetic criteria.
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