Licensed indications for Taxotere extended

4 October 2006

The licensed indications for the antineoplastic agent Taxotere (docetaxel) have been extended allowing the product to be used in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastro-oesophageal junction, in patients who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease.

The extension to the licence follows the results of a multi-centre clinical trial in which it was shown that docetaxel in combination with cisplatin and 5-FU produced a significantly longer time to progression of the disease and a significant reduction in mortality compared to cisplatin and 5-FU alone.

Patients must be adequately hydrated, be premedicated with antiemetics and receive prophylactic G-CSF to mitigate the risk of haematological toxicities.

Further information: Sanofi Aventis, 1 Onslow Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4YS. Tel: (01483) 505515.