Roche reports positive data from breast cancer drug trial

Roche has published positive clinical trial data from a phase III study of a promising new treatment option for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Data from the Cleopatra study has shown that the developmental compound pertuzumab, when combined with Herceptin and chemotherapy, can deliver significant benefits in progression-free survival rates.

The new therapy regimen was therefore able to meet its primary efficacy endpoint, as ratified by an independent review, thus demonstrating its potential benefits as a personalised cancer treatment.

Roche stated that this could be an important development for sufferers of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, which remains incurable despite recent research into the disease.

Dr Hal Barron, chief medical officer and head of global product development at Roche, said: "We plan to submit the study results for global regulatory approval this year."

Last month, the company received approval to expand the label of its drug Avastin to be administered in combination with Xeloda for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.