Saskatchewan Grants Access to ZYTIGA® For Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer Prior to Chemotherapy
TORONTO, March 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in Saskatchewan now have access to a therapy that can be used prior to chemotherapy. The inclusion of ZYTIGA® (abiraterone acetate) on the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Drug Formulary makes it the fourth province, following British Columbia, Québec and Ontario, to fund ZYTIGA® through a provincial drug benefit plan for the treatment of mCRPC in men who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic after failure of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).1
Men in Saskatchewan with advanced prostate cancer, their caregivers and health care professionals are encouraged to learn more about the specific eligibility requirements that must be met for the reimbursement of ZYTIGA® by accessing the published list of medications covered by the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency found at the following link.
About Prostate Cancer in Canada
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to afflict men in Canada. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, approximately 650 men in Saskatchewan are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, and 160 will die of the disease.2
Prostate cancer has a great impact on quality of life, affecting men physically, psychologically and socially.3 Approximately 10 to 20 per cent of prostate cancer cases will present with metastatic disease, in which the tumour spreads beyond the prostate.4 Fortunately, death rates have been declining since the mid-1990s.5
About ZYTIGA®
In July 2011, ZYTIGA® was approved by Health Canada for the treatment of men with mCRPC who had received prior chemotherapy containing docetaxel after failure of ADT.6 Health Canada approved a second indication for ZYTIGA® in May 2013 for the treatment of men with mCRPC who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic after failure of ADT.7
ZYTIGA® selectively inhibits the enzyme complex that is required for the production of androgens. Androgens are hormones that promote the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics; however, in prostate cancer androgens can work to fuel tumour growth.
ZYTIGA® is the first oral treatment that inhibits androgen production at all three sources - the testes, adrenal glands and in the tumour itself.
In combined data from the Phase 3 pivotal trials, the most common adverse reactions seen with ZYTIGA® are fluid in the legs, low blood potassium, urinary tract infection, liver function test increases, indigestion, presence of blood in the urine, high blood pressure, and bone fractures.8
About Janssen Inc.
Janssen Inc. is one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, which are dedicated to addressing and solving some of the most important unmet medical needs in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases and vaccines, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Driven by our commitment to patients, we bring innovative products, services and solutions to people throughout the world. Please visit www.janssen.ca for more information.
All trademark rights used under license.
References
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1 ZYTIGA® Canadian Product Monograph. Page 3. February 14, 2014.
2 Canadian Cancer Society. Saskatchewan Cancer Statistics at a glance. Available at: http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-101/canadian-cancer-statistics-publication/?region=sk. Last accessed February 24, 2014
3 The "Prostate Cancer - Quality of Life Patient and Caregiver Study" was conducted through an online survey by Leger Marketing between June 21st and July 7th, 2013 with 517 Canadian men who currently have or have had prostate cancer and 256 caregivers.
4 Bellmunt J, Charles J, Albanell J. Predictive modelling in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Clin Transl Oncol. 2009 Feb;11(2):82-5.
5 Canadian Cancer Society. Prostate Cancer Statistics at a glance. Available at: http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/prostate/statistics/?region=sk. Last accessed January 28, 2014.
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid.
8 ZYTIGA® Canadian Product Monograph. Page 7. February 14, 2014.
SOURCE: Janssen Inc.
For further information:
Alexandra Fahmey
Edelman
[email protected]
(416) 849-1516
Laura Espinoza
Janssen Inc.
[email protected]
(416) 382-5156
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