Increased toxicity for many newly approved anticancer drugs


(HealthDay)—Newly approved anticancer drugs that do not have a specific molecular target on cancer cells are associated with increased toxicity and the accompanying costs of management, according to research published online Sept. 29 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Saroj Niraula, M.B.B.S., M.D., from CancerCare Manitoba and the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, and colleagues examined the incidence of 12 frequent grade 3 and 4 adverse events associated with new anticancer drugs, and the costs associated with their management. Data were included from 41 studies involving 27,539 patients and assessing 19 experimental drugs.

The researchers found that the incidence of grade 3 and 4 toxicities was lower for agents directed against a specific molecular target on cancer cells than controls (median risk ratio [RR], 0.67; P = 0.22), while less-specific targeted agents were more toxic (angiogenesis inhibitors: median RR, 3.39; P

“Development of biomarker-driven agents should be encouraged,” the authors write.

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Journal reference:

Journal of Clinical Oncology