Date:20/04/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/04/20/stories/2004042001280300.htm

Back Intas Biotech launches cancer drug

Our Bureau

Mumbai , April 19

PATIENTS suffering from cancer of the white blood cells or Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML) are expected to benefit from the recent launch of Arsenox from Intas Biotech - Oncology.

APML patients suffer from blood clots, bleeding and fungal infections and the existing standard treatment, using Anthracyclines or chemotherapy drugs, costs between Rs 6 lakh and Rs 8 lakh, company officials said.

"Arsenox is a significant advance in the treatment of patients with APML. These patients would already have tried the standard treatment. Arsenox is accessible and very affordable as compared to the regular treatment available. In fact, it will be one tenth the standard treatment costs," say company officials.

According to an Intas company communiqué, arsenic trioxide has shown complete remission or disappearance of all visible cancer cells in a significant number of patients.

"Apart from the costs, sometimes patients who have undergone the standard treatment for APML suffer from a relapse. In such cases the use of salvage therapy is highly toxic and has a low rate of success. Arsenox has been approved for the treatment of patients suffering from such a relapse," the note said.