Roche files for expanded use of Herceptin

Roche has filed to expand the use of Herceptin in the European Union to include early stage breast cancer. Two days ago, Genentech filed for FDA approval of the same indication. Researchers will rely on data that indicates that Herceptin reduced the chances of cancer relapse by 46 percent when the disease had not spread beyond the breast or into the lymph nodes. The drug has been a pioneer for combining a therapy with a diagnostic test, which identifies about one in four women who can benefit from the drug.

- here's the AP report