# Chateau de la Tobler

## Thursday, August 25, 2005

### New lung cancer drug approved

Here is an article Mema directed me to about a new lung cancer drug, Alimta, specifically for non-small cell cancer. Some interesting points:

> The drug, Alimta, in clinical trials was found to shrink tumors as effectively as another cancer-fighting drug, Taxotere. But Alimta did so with fewer troubling side effects, which include hair loss, tingling fingers and toes, depressed blood count, and hospitalizations for subsequent infection.
> One in 50 patients taking Alimta had side effects. That benefit came without any lessening of the drug's effectiveness.

But there is a downside:

> The Alimta treatment, 500 mg every 21 days, costs patients $3,900 per month, according to the company.

Still, it is reassuring to know that there continue to be breakthroughs.

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