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Pfizer Brings in New Options

There is a new drug that gives gastrointestinal cancer patients a new treatment option. Sutent, an anti-cancer drug developed by Pfizer, the most well known pharmaceutical business, seems to be the best new discovery in cancer treatment. In patients with kidney and gastrointestinal cancer Sutent has managed to effectively cease the progression of tumor growth. Standard cytokine drugs, such as Interferon, manage to stop cancer progression for an average of 22 weeks, while Sutent has lasted for a whopping 46 weeks. It seems that Sutent will certainly help Pfizer continue its rapid business growth.

In 2005, Pfizer, which has research facilities all across the world, totaled $51.3 billion in sales. 24%, or $12.2 billion, of these sales came from one drug alone, Lipitor, a cholesterol-cutting oral treatment. Things just keep getting better for Pfizer. With Sutent being such a success with kidney and gastrointestinal patients, the business is sure to have a substantial increase in sales in the upcoming year. Drug releases such as Sutent, are not only good for business, but are steps towards the cure for cancer.

In addition to helping cease growth of cancer cells in gastrointestinal patients, Pfizer is currently in the process of running Phase 2 testing on lung cancer. In order to get a drug approved by the FDA, research clinics must complete 3 phases of testing. Considering the success that Sutent has had with other cancers, there is a pretty good chance that it will help with lung tumors as well.