LILLY (ELI) & COMPANY - New Study on Gemzar.

New Study Results Demonstrate Clinical Effectiveness of Gemzar(R)-Based 
Combination Therapy for Advanced Breast Cancer 
 
INDIANAPOLIS, May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- New data from a Phase III 
clinical trial(1) show that Eli Lilly and Company's (LLY) Gemzar(R) 
(gemcitabine, HCl) in combination with Taxotere(R) (docetaxel) demonstrated 
similar efficacy, but with an improved safety profile, when compared to a 
regimen of Xeloda(R) (capecitabine) and docetaxel in the treatment of 
metastatic breast cancer. 
 
The study, presented today at the 41st annual meeting of the American Society 
of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), compared the two combinations as first- or 
second-line treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The study 
further demonstrates Gemzar's ability to be combined with other agents in 
providing patients with the benefit of survival, while maintaining a manageable 
level of side effects. Gemzar in combination with Taxol(R) (paclitaxel) is 
approved for use in the U.S., Europe and more than 60 countries for the 
treatment of metastatic breast cancer. 
 
Patients receiving the Gemzar-based combination had the same progression- free 
survival time (the length of time during and after treatment that the cancer 
does not grow) and tumor response rate (tumor shrinkage) as patients receiving 
the capecitabine-based combination. Patients administered the Gemzar 
combination also experienced significantly fewer toxic side effects, such as 
mucositis (an inflammation of the gastrointestinal lining ...