Reports claimed that a new breast cancer drug for the treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer would be launched today in the markets of UK before it is launched in the entire continent soon.

Halaven™ (eribulin), would be used for treating advanced or metastatic breast cancer for patients who have gone through at least 2 dosages of chemotherapy.

Eisai plans to launch Halaven in the Nordic zones in the next few weeks and in whole of Europe later this year.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in human females in UK. In Europe approximately 332,670 new breast cancer cases occurred in 2008.

Breast cancer has accounted for 16% female deaths in the whole world. This is the second most death causing disease after the lung cancer in case of females.

Halaven has got the approval from European Commission on 17 March, 2011. The approval was made on the basis of the results from the global phase III Embrace study.

The most commonly reported side-effects among patients treated with Halaven were asthenia (fatigue), neutropenia, alopecia (hair loss), peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in arms and legs), nausea, and constipation.

Breast Cancer Charities and the Council of Cancer Charities claimed that they would welcome and support the proposed appointment of a general surgeon with a special interest in breast care.