Abraxane launched in Germany

USA-based Abraxis BioScience's Abraxane (albumin-bound paclitaxel) 5mg/ml powder for suspension for infusion has been launched in Germany.  In Europe, the agent is indicated for the treatment of metastatic breast  cancer in patients who have failed first-line treatment for metastatic  disease and for whom standard, anthracycline-containing therapy is not  indicated. By wrapping the albumin around the active drug, Abraxane can  be administered to patients at higher doses, resulting in higher  concentrations of the drug at the tumor site and greater efficacy  compared to solvent-based paclitaxel. Clinical trials have demonstrated  that the tumor response rate was nearly double for patients who received  Abraxane compared to those on solvent-based paclitaxel, while the  modified drug also showed a significant improvement in  progression-free survival and prolonged time-to-tumor progression.