FDA Approves Afinitor for Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Afinitor? was previously approved to treat other cancer types, but needed to prove effective in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

The U.S. FDA has approved the Novartis drug Afinitor? (everolimus) for the treatment of advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. 

Neuroendocrine tumors make up less than five percent of all pancreatic cancer diagnoses and are generally slower growing and less aggressive than the more common form of pancreatic cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Julie Fleshman, President and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, said, "The FDA approval of Afinitor to treat pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors is welcome news for the pancreatic cancer community. For decades, treatment options for this insidious disease have been limited.  We are thrilled that patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors now have another option when planning their cou