Exemestane plus Afinitor (Novartis) increased progression-free survival for Breast Cancer patients

Afinitor (everolimus), from Novartis, in combination with exemestane has shown promise for the treatment of Breast Cancer, according to a new analysis of the BOLERO-2, Phase III clinical trial, presented at the 2011 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Results revealed a median progression-free interval of 3.2 months for 239 patients treated with exemestane plus placebo. Among the 485 patients treated with exemestane plus Afinitor, researchers found a median progression-free interval of 7.4 months. Clinical benefit rates, which include complete response, partial response, or stable disease exceeding six months, were 25.5 percent among patients treated with exemestane and placebo and 50.5 percent among those treated with exemestane and Afinitor. The results were presented by Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, director of the Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Research Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.