Japan Pharmaceutical Information (Continued)
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This article is a summary of international medical information and is not medical advice; it cannot replace the diagnosis or treatment plan of your attending physician. The medical technologies, drug information and clinical data presented here are compiled from public literature and official statements of major Japanese medical institutions; the applicability and outcome of any therapy vary with each patient and must be assessed individually by a qualified physician.
Following up on previous announcements, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare released additional drug approval information from the Second Committee on Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation.
Halaven (eribulin) was approved for patients with inoperable or recurrent breast cancer. This drug works by inhibiting microtubule formation, thereby suppressing tumor growth.
Opdivo (nivolumab) received an updated dosing schedule. The current approved regimen is 2 mg/kg once every three weeks, dosed according to patient body weight. The newly added schedule allows administration of 3 mg/kg once every two weeks.
Nexavar (sorafenib) was approved for use in unresectable thyroid cancer. The estimated number of thyroid cancer patients in Japan is approximately 29 million, and this drug is expected to be applicable to about 5% of them.
For further details, please refer to the official MHLW page: http://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/shingi/shingi-yakuji.html?tid=127852
This content is for reference only. Please refer to the official Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare information for authoritative guidance.
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