Merck drug reduces bone breakdown
Written on May 29, 2008
Drug maker Merck & Co. on Tuesday said a mid-stage trial of an osteoporosis drug in women with breast cancer reduced the breakdown of bone.
Patients treated with the drug, odanacatib, showed a 77% reduction from baseline in bone breakdown compared to 73% of those treated with Novartis AG’s Zometam, Merck said.
Women with breast cancer are often susceptible to cancer spreading to bones, a condition known as bone metastases.
Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based Merck said that results from the trial would be presented June 3 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference payday loans in 1 hour.
Merck added that it would conduct late-stage studies of odanacatib in both breast and prostate cancer based on the results.
Odanacatib is already in late-stage trials for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Shares ofMerck (MRK, Fortune 500) rose 42 cents to $39.16 in morning trading.
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