On February 26, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved everolimus (Afinitor®, Novartis) tablets for the treatment of adult patients with progressive, well-differentiated, non-functional neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of gastrointestinal (GI) or lung origin that are unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic. Afinitor received a priority review designation providing a shortened review period for drugs that treat serious conditions and offer a significant improvement in safety or effectiveness.

"Afinitor is the first treatment approved for progressive, nonfunctional NET of lung origin, and one of very few options available for progressive, non-functional GI NET, representing a shift in the treatment paradigm for these cancers," said Novartis Oncology President Bruno Strigini. "We are proud of our Afinitor development program, which has translated to meaningful benefits for patients with several different cancers and rare diseases." (Source company press release)

To read more, visit Novartis' website.