Roche to present major advances with targeted cancer medicines at ASCO
 

Basel, 14 May 2009. /PRNewswire/ — Roche today provided an overview of results from studies that further the company's approach to developing targeted medicines for people with cancer, a diagnosis that will affect more than one in three people during their lifetime. Results from studies involving the company's approved and investigational treatments will be presented during the 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) taking place May 29 through June 2 in Orlando, USA.

New combination approach to attack HER2-positive breast cancer

Final efficacy results will be presented from a Phase II study (TDM4258g) of T-DM1 in women whose breast cancer had progressed following previous treatment with two or more HER2-targeted therapies. These patients who have nearly no treatment options left, still could benefit from T-DM1. T-DM1 is a novel antibody-drug combination that links Herceptin and the cell-killing agent DM1. A Phase III study (EMILIA) evaluating T-DM1 for second-line advanced HER2-positive breast cancer was initiated this year.