Zoladex Gets Indication for Advanced Breast Ca

WILMINGTON, Del--Zoladex (goserelin acetate implant), Zeneca Pharmaceuticals'gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (GnRH) agonist, has received approvalfor use in the treatment of advanced breast cancer in premenopausaland perimenopausal women.

The agent was introduced in the United States for the treatmentof advanced prostate cancer in 1989 and for the treatment of endometriosisin 1993.

Zoladex, given by injection once a month, acts on the pituitarygland to cause decreased production of estrogen by the ovaries.This lowers serum estrogen levels to concentrations typical ofpostmenopausal women, reducing estrogen stimulation of breasttumor growth.

The new indication is based on results of clinical trials involvingmore than 800 women in North America and Europe, showing responserates and survival benefits comparable to those achieved by oophorectomy,the company said.