AZ submits Faslodex for approval in Europe

Published: 1-Mar-2003


AstraZeneca has submitted a Marketing Authorisation Application in Europe for the use of Faslodex (fulvestrant) in the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose disease has progressed following prior endocrine therapy. Faslodex was approved by the US FDA in April 2002.

Two pivotal Phase III trials showed Faslodex to be at least as effective as the aromatase inhibitor Arimidex in the treatment of hormone sensitive advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women who had previously been treated with prior endocrine therapy. Faslodex is administered as a once monthly intramuscular injection, which may offer compliance benefits and, as an endocrine treatment. it does not cause the side effects commonly associated with chemotherapy.

Faslodex is an anti-oestrogen with no agonist activity that acts as an oestrogen receptor downregulator. It targets, binds to, blocks and then degrades the oestrogen receptors in breast cancer cells, unlike aromatase inhibitors, that reduce the amount of oestrogen in a woman's body and tamoxifen, which blocks the oestrogen receptor.

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