Cancer : new drugs questioned

BrianAJackson/epictura

Published the 07.10.2017 at 12h51

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cancermédicamentEMA

Novelty does not always mean effectiveness, according to a british study published in the British Medical Journal. These works report that half of the anti-cancer drugs marketed in Europe between 2009 and 2013 does not bring any benefits to patients.

The team from King’s College London (Great-Bratagne) has analyzed all the scientific literature bearing on the 48 molecules placed on the market in recent years. All have received the green light from the european medicines Agency (EMA).

However, it appears that experts from the EMA are not very demanding. Clinical trials conducted on these different specialties do not suggest clear evidence of effectiveness. The methodology of the studies is also in question. The researchers noted that a large majority of the trials did not assess the direct impact of these drugs on the survival or quality of life of the patients.

Profits” marginal”

The study indicates, for example, that one third of the specialties on the market during this period have demonstrated an extension of survival of patients. Nevertheless, the effect is reduced : patients can expect to live between one and six months. Worse, only seven drugs have shown an improvement in the quality of life of patients during clinical trials.

In 2017, the researchers have completed their work by retrieving data obtained in real life on these molecules. More than three years after their marketing, three areas have shown an extension of the duration of life, and seven have resulted in improvements in the quality of life. The fact remains that these profits appear to be “marginal” when the drugs are compared to placebo.