It has been claimed that platinum-based drugs are still the most effective way to tackle ovarian cancer.

A report in the Pharmaceutical Business Review highlights the importance of platinum-based therapies in improving survival rates among ovarian cancer patients.

While the report acknowledges that surgery "remains central to the management of ovarian cancer", it adds that as ovarian cancer progresses, platinum-based therapy can play an important role in treating the disease.

Recently, platinum drugs combined with cisplatin and paclitaxel have been found to be increasingly effective, resulting in an upward trend in survival rates of more than five years among ovarian cancer sufferers.

The report concludes that the research being put into the development of platinum-based drugs to target ovarian cancer is good news for patients. Further, Genentech and Roche's Avastin drug, which can help improve platinum based drug's efficacy is expected to have a big impact on the market, if and when it is ready for use.

Although Avastin has had some difficulties in trials, it is hoped that once these side-effects are reduced the drug could be a major step forward in the treatment of ovarian cancer.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd