FDA OKs Genentech Drug To Treat Advanced Skin Cancer
On Monday, FDA approved the first drug to treat an advanced form of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. The drug -- known generically as vismodegib -- will be marketed as Erivedge by California-based Genentech. The company estimates that a 10-month treatment course would cost about $75,000.
- "FDA Approves Drug for an Advanced Skin Cancer" (Pollack, "Prescriptions," New York Times, 1/30).
- "New Type of Cancer Drug Gets Approval" (Corbett Dooren/Winslow, Wall Street Journal, 1/31).