ZYTIGA®* Now Available for Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer in British Columbia Prior to Chemotherapy
TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Effective November 15, 2013, British Columbia is the first province to include ZYTIGA® (abiraterone acetate) on its public formulary for men living with metastatic prostate cancer who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic after failure of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).1 Men living with advanced prostate cancer, their caregivers and health care professionals are encouraged to learn more about the specific eligibility criteria that are required to be met for reimbursement of ZYTIGA® by the B.C. Cancer Agency at the following link.
"I support the B.C. Cancer Agency's decision to reimburse ZYTIGA® as I have seen the benefits of this treatment for men living with advanced prostate cancer," says Dr. Martin Gleave**, urologic surgeon and Executive Director, Vancouver Prostate Centre. "It's exciting to have an option now available for treatment earlier in the disease that can help delay progression and improve overall quality of life."
In July 2011, ZYTIGA® was approved by Health Canada for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who had received prior chemotherapy containing docetaxel after failure of ADT.2 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.3
"The expansion of access to ZYTIGA® is welcome news for eligible men to help restrict this common and lethal disease," says Don Konantz, age 51 from Vancouver, BC. "On behalf of patients with metastatic prostate cancer and as the Chair of the Canadian Coalition to Cure Prostate Cancer, I congratulate British Columbia and the B.C. Cancer Agency for their leadership."
ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER IN CANADA
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer to afflict men in Canada and approximately 23,600 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually.4 According to the Canadian Cancer Society, prostate cancer is turning up in men in their 40s and on average, 65 Canadian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day, and 11 men die of prostate cancer every day.5 Approximately 10 to 20 per cent of prostate cancer cases will present with metastatic disease, in which the tumour spreads beyond the prostate.6 Fortunately, death rates have been declining since the mid-1990s.7
ABOUT ZYTIGA®
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.
At Janssen, we are dedicated to addressing and solving some of the most important unmet medical needs of our time in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases and vaccines, metabolic and chronic diseases and women's health. Driven by our commitment to patients, we bring innovative products, services and solutions to people throughout the world. Janssen Inc. is a member of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies. Please visit www.janssen.ca for more information.
*All trademark rights used under license. **Dr. Gleave was not compensated for any media work. He has been a paid consultant to Janssen Inc.
References
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1 ZYTIGA® Canadian Product Monograph. Page 3. September 6, 2013.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 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 November 5, 2013.
5 Ibid.
6 Bellmunt J, Charles J, Albanell J. Predictive modelling in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Clin Transl Oncol. 2009 Feb;11(2):82-5.
7 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 November 5, 2013.
8 ZYTIGA® Canadian Product Monograph. Page 7. September 6, 2013.
SOURCE: Janssen Inc.
For more information, or to arrange an interview with Dr. Gleave or Don Konantz, please contact:
Alexandra Fahmey
Edelman
[email protected]
(416) 849-1516
Laura Espinoza
Janssen Inc.
[email protected]
(416) 382-5156
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