Emirates Pharmaceutical Company approves the innovative “Etkamah” to treat breast cancer associated with ESR1 mutation

The Emirates Pharmaceutical Corporation announced the approval of the drug “Itkamah”. (Etcamah) “From AstraZeneca, which is an oral treatment directed at a group of patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have a mutation in a gene. ESR1 They were discovered during anti-hormonal therapy.

With this accreditation, the UAE sets a global precedent as it is the first country to provide this treatment option, in a step that reflects its approach to accelerating the availability of pharmaceutical innovations, developing the quality of the health care system, and expanding advanced treatment options for patients.

The drug “Etkamah” is used in conjunction with an inhibitor CDK4/6 It depends on the active ingredient Camiztant (Camizestrant)as a next-generation oral selective estrogen receptor modulator (ngSERD) It is a complete antagonist of estrogen receptors, as it works to inhibit and analyze estrogen receptors present in breast cancer cells, which may contribute to the growth and spread of the tumor..

In this context, Dr. confirmed. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Emirates Pharmaceutical Corporation, said that the approval of this drug reflects the efficiency of the operational system in absorbing modern pharmaceutical innovations according to precise scientific frameworks, noting that this trend supports the readiness of the pharmaceutical system and enhances its ability to provide advanced treatment options for patients..

She added: “This step represents an extension of the country’s approach to enabling a flexible pharmaceutical structure that anticipates global scientific changes and keeps pace with the rapid development in the pharmaceutical sector through advanced evaluation tools that balance speed of availability and ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality, thus consolidating the country’s position as a reliable reference in the field of pharmaceutical innovation.”“

For his part, Sameh Al-Fanjari, President of AstraZeneca for the Gulf Region, said that making this treatment available in the UAE represents an important step in expanding the scope of solutions for treating breast cancer, and reflects confidence in the scientific foundations on which the drug is based, expressing the company’s aspiration to enhance cooperation with various partners at the state level to contribute to improving the treatment outcomes for patients who qualify to benefit from it..

The approval of the drug came after a comprehensive scientific and regulatory evaluation conducted by the institution, which included a review of its quality, safety and effectiveness, in addition to analyzing the clinical data supporting its use, based on the results of a study. SERENA-6 From a phase III trial, which showed a statistically and clinically significant improvement in progression-free survival in patients who had the mutation during hormone therapy..

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women, which highlights the importance of promoting innovative treatment options that contribute to improving medical outcomes and raising the quality of life of patients..

The Emirates Medicines Corporation stresses the importance of early detection of breast cancer, adherence to the treatment plan, and periodic follow-up with health care providers, as this has a role in improving the chances of treatment response and raising recovery indicators..