Anticancer Drugs From Zeneca in Regulatory Phase of Development

NEW YORK--Zeneca Pharmaceuticals' Casodex, an oral antiandrogenagent, has received approval for marketing in the United Kingdomfor the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. Zeneca has alsofiled for approval of Casodex in the United States and severalother countries, Zeneca president Robert C. Black said at a mediabriefing.

Other new anticancer agents from Zeneca in clinical developmentinclude Tomudex, a cytotoxic thymidylate synthase inhibitor forcolorectal cancer, and Arimidex, an oral nonsteroidal aromataseinhibitor for breast cancer.

The company's LHRH agonist analog Zoladex (goserelin acetate),currently marketed as a 3.6 mg implant for prostate cancer, hasbeen recommended for a new indication--palliation of advancedbreast cancer . An NDA has also been filed for a 10.8-mg, 3-monthdepo formulation, Mr. Black said.