New drug gives hope to prostate cancer victims

An anti-cancer drug discovered in Auckland has been shown in clinical trials to significantly improve the survival rate of prostate cancer patients.

London-based drug company Antisoma yesterday said two-year survival data from its phase II study of ASA404 in hormone-refractory prostate cancer was 33 per cent with ASA404, and 23 per cent in the control group which did not receive the drug.

Previously reported findings from the same trial have shown higher tumour response rates and markedly higher PSA response rates in patients receiving the drug.