Two papers and an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine hail Erivedge (Roche) as great advance in BCC

An editorial accompanying 2 papers in the New England Journal of Medicine hails Erivedge (vismodegib), from Roche, as "the greatest advance in therapy yet seen" for patients with advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma. Following its first tests in 2007, the FDA approved the drug earlier this year. FDA approval in five years is a remarkable achievement because clinical trials typically progress through three phases and can take up to 15 years to successfully complete. "The availability of vismodegib and similar medications will really change the way we treat the patients with advanced forms of BCC, who had very limited options to date. In addition, this drug will likely offer a life-changing treatment for patients with basal cell nevus syndrome. It is possible that the drug may also be of benefit in treatment of earlier stages of BCC, and this is currently being evaluated in several clinical trials," said Dr. Sekulic, the lead author of one of the papers. "It is a landmark day for patients with basal cell carcinoma and all those involved in their care," said the NEJM editorial. However the editors cautioned that additional study of Hedgehog pathway inhibitors like vismodegib warrant further study so a larger number of patients may benefit. See: "Efficacy and Safety of Vismodegib in Advanced Basal-Cell Carcinoma" Aleksandar Sekulic et al. N Engl J Med 2012; 366:2171-217 9June 7, 2012