Leukemia drug Imbruvica from Johson&Johnson, AbbVie reduces death risk in cancer patients: study

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According to Reuters, the cancer drug Imbruvica of AbbVie and Johnson and Johnson's is on its way for expanded approval. It is because it shows greater result in terms of decreasing the cancer progression and cancer-related death rate compared with the chemotherapy treatment in leukemia patients who were previously untreated.

The researchers gathered patients who are 65 years old and above. All of the patients are diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL.) The patients were grouped in two groups - the Imbruvica group and the chemotherapy group. A total of 264 patients were given Imbruvica.

There were a total of 17 deaths in the chemotherapy group. On the other hand, there were only three deaths in the Imbruvica group. This just means that the cancer drug Imbruvica decreased the death risk by 85 percent compared to the well-known chemotherapy.

The Youth Health Mag reported that the study is already on its phase 3 stage. Based on the research's results, the Imbruvica is so much better compared to chlorambucil, the drug used in chemotherapy procedure.

Aside from reducing the death risk, the Imbruvica is also much more effective in preventing the disease progression. Those who are in the Imbruvica group did not suffer from cancer progression until 1 and ½ year or more.

The benefit is not isolated to lengthening the progression of the disease. In fact, it is really effective in putting an end to the progression considering that only 10 percent among all patients in the Imbruvica group experienced progression and 86 percent experienced a decrease in their cancer by half.

On the other hand, only 35 percent was able to reduce their cancer by half in the chemotherapy group.

Even when the AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson's cancer treatment showed great potential, there are still who discontinued the treatment. There were two out of the 269 patients who decided to drop the treatment due to a certain side effect - atrial fibrillation. This counts as 9 percent discontinuation rate. It is so much lower compared to the 23 percent discontinuation in the opposing group.

The Daily Times Gazette reported that a source from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston said that the data of the research points out that it is completely better than the chlorambucil in every aspect. Thus, it should pave way for supporting acceptance.

This report, considering how positive the result is, is expected to boost the sales of Imbruvica.