The Hill (6/5, Viebeck) “Healthwatch” blog reports, “The number of cancer drugs submitted for US approval is on the rise as researchers’ understanding of how to fight the condition grows.” According to Dr. Richard Pazdur, head of the FDA’s office of oncology products, “There are a large number of drugs being developed in oncology.” Pazdur added, “There is greater understanding of some of the disease processes.” At the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting, “scientists noted several advances that have increased the sophistication of cancer treatments and reduced side effects.”
Reuters (6/5, Beasley) that at the ASCO meeting, Pazdur said, “This year we expect over 20 oncology applications will be filed.” Pazdur added, “In oncology, the greatest difficulty has been the efficacy issue.” But, “we are starting to see new drugs with important survival advantages.”
