Gefitinib Not Approved for Mesothelioma Treatment in U.S.

Mesothelioma News

Anticancer Drug Gefitinib Caused Deaths in Japan

October 29, 2002 — AstraZeneca, the Japanese manufacturer of the anticancer drug Gefitinib (ZD1839, Iressa™), failed to report until recently that 39 people had died from the drug’s side–effects (Daily Yomiuri, October 28, 2002). The use of Gefitinib for non–small–cell lung cancer patients is approved in Japan, but not in the United States, where it is available only in controlled clinical trials. Gefitinib was the subject of a Boston study on mesothelioma cell lines. The drug inhibited mesothelioma cell growth under laboratory test tube conditions, but has never been provided to mesothelioma patients. (See ZD1839 (Gefitinib) Inhibited Mesothelioma Cell Growth).

At least 125 Japanese cancer patients taking Gefitinib developed interstitial pneumonia, including the 39 who died. Japan’s Health, Welfare and Labor Ministry plans to investigate AstraZeneca. The company’s application to sell Gefitinib in the United States is still pending.

We encourage each victim of mesothelioma or other cancer to carefully discuss all treatment options, including those with some risk or little clinical trials, with his or her primary care physician.