Failed drug could be used as different treatment

Quantitative analysis has shown that a drug originally deemed a failure, could have alternative treatment potential.

According to Bloomberg, the blood cancer treatment Mylotarg, created by Pfizer, could help those newly-diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia live for longer.

Mylotarg was removed from the market after it was linked to a number of deaths, however when used alongside chemotherapy, it extended the life of those with acute myeloid leukaemia from an average of 15 months, to 25 months.

The drug has previously only been used on those aged over 60 with returning cancer.

The organisation is now in talks with regulators to determine whether the drug could be returned to the market.

"Our knowledge is always moving forward, and sometimes we may not always have the best insights of how best to use the drug when it first arrives," said Mace Rothenberg, senior vice president of clinical development and medical affairs for Pfizer's oncology unit.

Posted by Ben Evans