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Posted 12/12/2006 Results presented overnight at the world’s largest blood cancer meeting in the USA, give hope to thousands of people in Australia who are diagnosed with the most common type of blood cancer, known as non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.[i] Australian cancer specialists were included in an international study, which found that using an antibody therapy called MabThera® (rituximab) in combination with chemotherapy, more than doubles the time patients spend in remission and, also allows patients to live longer.[ii] In 2006, projected figures show that 4,217 Australians will be diagnosed with lymphoma, the sixth most common cancer in Australia.1,[iii] “These results represent a major advance in the treatment of this type of lymphoma,” commented Dr John Catalano, Department of Haematology, Frankston Hospital, and an investigator in the trial, “This is definitive proof that the addition of MabThera to chemotherapy for patients, not only extends the time that patients are free from the disease, but actually lengthens the lives of patients with indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.” “The addition of MabThera to standard chemotherapy, has revolutionised the way we treat this most common type of lymphoma and gives newly diagnosed patients a great deal of hope to live a longer life. This result is a major milestone, as prolonging survival is the ultimate treatment goal for any cancer drug,” Dr Catalano concluded. Dr Anna Williamson, General Manager of the lymphoma patient care organisation The Leukaemia Foundation said, “These results with MabThera are really positive for people living with this common type of lymphoma. Lymphoma is a growing public health issue in Australia, and the number of Australians diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is projected to increase by more than 30 percent between 2002 and 2011.3” MabThera® (rituximab) is available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia as a first line treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in combination with chemotherapy. For further information on non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma talk to your healthcare professional or visit lymphoma patient care organisation, The Leukaemia Foundation at http://www.leukaemia.org.au/ or call 1800 620 420. Alternatively, visit the Lymphoma Research and Support Association website at www.lymphoma.org.au. About MabTheraMabThera belongs to a group of medicines known as monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are proteins which specifically recognise and bind to another unique protein called an antigen. MabThera works by binding to an antigen on the surface of certain white blood cells known as B lymphocytes. During the process of binding to the antigen, the abnormal growth of the B lymphocytes is stopped. It is the abnormally growing B lymphocytes that are responsible for certain types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.[iv] MabThera is currently approved for use on the PBS for the treatment of symptomatic, previously untreated, CD20 positive, stage 3 or 4, follicular, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, in combination with chemotherapy. In addition, MabThera is approved for use on the PBS for relapsed or refractory follicular or low grade B-cell NHL, and previously untreated, CD 20 positive, diffuse large B-cell NHL in combination with chemotherapy. About RocheHeadquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. Roche employs roughly 70,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Additional information about the Roche Group is available on the Internet (www.roche.com). -Ends- Issued by Edelman on behalf of Roche For further information, please contact Edelman: [i] Cancer in Australia 2000, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare |
