The FDA approved Kisqali for patients with stage 2 or 3 breast cancer and who are at high risk of recurrence.
In a phase 3 trial, Kisqali reduced the risk of patients' breast cancer coming back by 25% after three years when given in addition to other standard treatments, according to a Sept. 17 news release from Novartis, the drug's manufacturer.
After four years, Kisqali also helped reduce the risk by 28.5%, according to a recent analysis presented at the European Society of Medical Oncology conference, Novartis said in a Sept. 16 news release.
Until Kisqali, only breast cancer drug Verzenio was approved to reduce the risk of patients with early breast cancer, although it was available only to patients with a very high risk of recurrence, NBC News reported Sept. 17.