In February 2015, the FDA granted accelerated approval for a new drug, Palbociclib
(Ibrance), for the treatment of post-menopausal women with advanced breast
cancer whose tumors are hormone receptor positive and HER-2 negative.
Defined as a breakthrough
therapy among these patients, Palbociclib, given as tablets, signals a new
strategy for arresting cell tumor growth. In a study addressing this issue,
patients receiving Palbociclib in combination with anti-hormonal therapy
responded better and for a much longer time compared to those receiving
anti-hormonal therapy alone. Nevertheless, Palbociclib also has side effects.
At the moment, Palbociclib is
still not approved by the Israeli drug panel as state-subsidized for the
treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer.