EDMONTON, Feb. 19, 1997 - The Alberta Cancer Board and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (RPR) announced today the creation of the International Taxotere Breast Study Group;, a $15 million worldwide research collaboration headed by Dr. Jean-Marc Nabholtz of the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta. Slated to begin in April 1997, the five year program will investigate Taxotere (docetaxel)-based chemotherapy combinations. The studies are designed to measure survival and disease free survival in women with early-stage breast cancer, which could lead to a new standard in breast cancer treatment.
THE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Expected to involve 1,600 women with breast cancer, the International Taxotere Breast Study Group will enroll patients from across Canada, U.S., Europe, South America, South Africa and several other countries. The program will consist of two studies, the first comparing Taxotere in combination with Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (TAC) to one of the most common initial treatments, a combination of 5-FU, Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (FAC). The second study will evaluate whether the Taxotere combination is made more effective by adding high-dose chemotherapy and peripheral stem cell transplantation. Women in these studies will undergo treatment with one of these combinations according to randomized protocols.
Dr. Nabholtz, Chairman of the International Taxotere Breast Study Group and renowned cancer researcher at the Cross Cancer Institute stated, "I believe that, of all the anticancer agents available, Taxotere, in combination with Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide, holds the greatest potential to improve survival of breast cancer patients."
A UNIQUE ANTICANCER AGENT
Taxotere was approved by the Canadian Health Protection Branch (HPB) in August 1995 and has received clearance by regulatory agencies in 49 countries, Taxotere is currently used as a single agent for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in patients not responding to initial treatment with other drugs. There have been only a handful of new chemotherapeutic drugs introduced in the past decade. Each possesses distinct properties and varying levels of activity against different cancers. According to Dr. Nabholtz, "Clinical experience with Taxotere seems to indicate that this anticancer medication is the most active therapeutic agent ever seen against metastatic breast
cancer."
POTENTIAL TO SAVE LIVES
The program developed by the International Taxotere Breast Study Group is exciting news for both patients and investigators as it will be the first time Taxotere will be studied as initial therapy. "We can now study Taxotere in a setting where we can investigate its potential to save lives,'' said Dr. Nabholtz.
BREAST CANCER: A DISEASE THAT AFFECTS MANY CANADIANS
In Canada, approximately 18,600(x), women were diagnosed with breast cancer last year and about one in nine Canadian women will be struck by breast cancer during their lifetime, the majority after the age of 50. It is estimated that 5,300(x) Canadian women died from breast cancer last year. Although there are signs that slow progress is being made, new treatment options need to be developed to improve disease control and, ultimately, survival.
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer is a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving human health. The company's commitment to oncology is highlighted by ongoing clinical trials and research into new chemotherapeutic agents.
(x) National Cancer Institute of Canada: Canadian Cancer Statistics 1996, Toronto, Canada, 1996
