June 25, 2019
Radioembolization treatment for primary liver cancer and metastatic liver cancer now available in Brazil
Brazil, 25 June 2019
Brazil to be the first South American country to offer TheraSphere® treatment for liver cancer patients
June 25, 2019: – BTG plc (LSE: BTG), a global healthcare company, announced today that Brazil will be the first South American country to offer TheraSphere® radioembolization treatment for patients diagnosed with primary liver cancer and metastatic liver cancer. While the incidence of liver cancer is consistent with that of other countries across the globe, the liver cancer mortality rate in Brazil is high. In 2018, 12,643 people were diagnosed with liver cancer in Brazil and 11,797 died1.
TheraSphere® is a targeted therapy that consists of millions of glass microspheres containing radioactive yttrium-90. The microspheres are about 20-30 micrometers in diameter – about a third of the width of a human hair. They are delivered directly to liver tumors through the hepatic artery via a catheter. TheraSphere™ is delivered into the hepatic artery to selectively target and destroy tumor cells while minimizing distribution and impact to normal tissue. The radioactive microspheres continue to deliver radiation to the tumor over the course of several weeks after treatment. TheraSphere® can also be used as a bridge to surgical removal of diseased tissue or transplantation in these patients.
To date, more than 30,000 patients worldwide have been treated with TheraSphere®.
In Brazil, TheraSphere® is approved for the treatment of hepatic neoplasia for use as an adjuvant to chemotherapy or an option when chemotherapy cannot be used or is not effective. In Brazil, TheraSphere ™ is approved for the treatment of hepatic neoplasia for use as an adjuvant to chemotherapy or an option when chemotherapy cannot be used or is not effective. TheraSphere® is distributed in Brazil by Endotec Medical.
“We are very proud to offer interventional radiologists in Brazil with another treatment option for their liver cancer patients.” says Brad Pearson, BTG VP Commercial Operations for Canada and Latin America. “As we continue to build our presence throughout Latin America, BTG is pleased to be able to offer innovative healthcare solutions to the patient populations that need them the most. Brazil is the first South American market where TheraSphere® is now commercially available and we plan to introduce the product in additional in South American countries very shortly.”
About TheraSphere®
TheraSphere® Glass Microspheres have a high specific activity so fewer microspheres are administered to achieve the desired dose. As a result, glass microspheres have minimal embolic effect. This allows deeper penetration within the tumour, where the primary mechanism of action is radiation. A key benefit of TheraSphere® is the ability to achieve high absorbed dose in the tumour leading to improved tumour response and better patient outcomes.
In Mexico, Argentina, the EU, Singapore, South Korea and Canada, TheraSphere® is approved for the treatment of hepatic neoplasia. In Brazil, TheraSphere ™ is approved for the treatment of hepatic neoplasia for use as an adjuvant to chemotherapy or an option when chemotherapy cannot be used or is not effective. In the USA, TheraSphere® is approved under a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) for use in radiation treatment or as a neoadjuvant to surgery or transplantation in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who can have placement of appropriately positioned hepatic arterial catheters. The device is also indicated for HCC patients with partial or branch portal vein thrombosis/occlusion, when clinical evaluation warrants the treatment. The effectiveness of this device for this use has not been demonstrated. For full instructions for use and important safety information, please visit www.therasphere.com.
About BTG Interventional Oncology
BTG Interventional Oncology is transforming the way cancer is treated with wide-ranging solutions consisting of minimally-invasive, highly targeted therapies that can be personalized to each patient’s needs. Our products are used to treat or provide symptomatic relief for people with cancer and benign tumors. To learn more about BTG Interventional Oncology, please follow @BTGIO on twitter or visit: https://www.btg-io.com.
For more information contact:
BTG plc
Chris Sampson, Corporate Communications Director
Email: media@btgplc.com
+44 20 7575 1595; Mobile: +44 7773 251 178