A new anti-cancer treatment distributed by Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company (Princeton, New Jersey) -Ixempra (ixabepilone) - has recently been approved by the US FDA for use use in patients with metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer who have not responded to certain other cancer drugs.




The approval of Ixempra includes the following:

• for use in combination with another cancer drug (capecitabine) in patients who no longer benefit from two other chemotherapy treatments: including an anthracycline (such as doxorubicin or epirubicin) and a taxane (such as paclitaxel or docetaxel)
• for use alone in patients who no longer benefit from an anthracycline, a taxane and capecitabine

Administered by intravenous infusion, Ixempra has been shown to bind to cancer cell microtubules but with some side effects: peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling or burning in the hands or feet), bone marrow suppression, constipation, nausea, vomiting, muscle paint, joint pain, fatigue and general weakness.

Well, which anti-cancer treatment does not have side effects?

Anyways, find more details about the FDA approval of Ixempra from the FDA News and BMS' press release.