Hycamtin, already approved as a treatment for ovarian cancer, is the first drug to be approved in Europe that is specifically indicated for the treatment of relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Data from clinical trials show that treatment with the drug is associated with prolonged survival and quality of life compared to the best supportive care in patients battling the disease.
Hycamtin belongs to a class of drugs known as topoisomerase I inhibitors, and works by inducing DNA damage which results in the death of dividing cells.
“Hycamtin offers an important new therapeutic option for patients in Europe who are faced with managing this devastating disease,” said Andrew Witty, President, Pharmaceuticals Europe, GSK.