Shanghai Roche Pharmaceuticals Ltd. made headlines in March with the launch of its lung cancer treatment, Erlotinib, in the Chinese market. This targeted therapy is designed for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has continued to progress despite standard chemotherapy. Erlotinib’s mechanism of action involves the specific inhibition of cancer cell growth and proliferation, offering hope to those battling this aggressive disease.
Having received regulatory approval in the U.S. in November 2004 and in Europe the following September, Erlotinib has since become available in over 75 countries around the world. Lung cancer is a global health challenge, with 1.2 million new cases diagnosed and 1.1 million deaths occurring annually. NSCLC accounts for a significant 80% of all lung cancer cases. In China alone, the disease burden is substantial, with 500,000 new cases of lung cancer reported in 2005, and an alarming annual growth rate exceeding 6%.- Flcube.com
