Canadian regulatory body recommendation brings melanoma patients closer to life-extending drugs

Melanoma Network of Canada pleased that this initial decision brings Canadian melanoma patients one step closer to having access to life-extending drugs

The Melanoma Network of Canada is pleased that the Canadian regulatory body, pCODR (pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review) has made an initial recommendation that includes positive clinical evaluations for the latest treatments for metastatic melanoma. This is tremendous news for melanoma patients who for decades had far too few treatment options and are now one step closer to having two advances that can improve their survival chances.

"What these latest therapies give the melanoma community is hope and a fighting chance at survival," said Annette Cyr, Chair of the Melanoma Network of Canada. "There is no question that for patients who need these treatments, time is of the essence. The Melanoma Network of Canada is urging the provinces to follow the pCODR recommendation and make provincial funding decisions a priority."

The treatments, Yervoy and Zelboraf, represent two different approaches to treat metastatic melanoma and each individually is an important advance in this field and a new option to give patients a fighting chance.

"Having these two new treatments available to patients will revolutionize the treatment of metastatic melanoma," said medical oncologist Dr. Anthony Joshua. "The clinical evidence supporting Yervoy and Zelboraf is strong and I hope these treatments will reach clinics across the country quickly so that melanoma patients will have critically needed treatment options available."