Zytiga (J&J Janssen Cilag) offers benefits for Prostate Cancer patients who are not eligible for docetaxel therapy

In an early benefit assessment, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has noted a considerable added benefit of Zytiga (abiraterone acetate), from J&J Janssen Cilag, in patients with metastatic hormone-refractory Prostate Cancer who are not eligible for further treatment with docetaxel. Zytiga has been approved since September 2011 for men with metastatic Prostate Cancer that is no longer responsive to hormone therapy and progresses further during or after therapy with the cytostatic drug docetaxel. The study assessed patients who were eligible and no longer eligible for docetaxel. It found indications that Zytiga can prolong survival and delay consequences of prostate cancer, such as fractures or operations due to bone metastases. In addition, the "time to pain progression" was prolonged in study participants receiving the drug. IQWiG classifies the extent of this added benefit as "considerable". However data presented on health-related quality of life assessments cannot be used; an added benefit of Zytiga is therefore not proven for this outcome.