Women suffering from an advanced type of breast cancer could live an average of six months longer with a newly licenced drug.
Pertuzumab helps patients who have aggressive HER2, which accounts for 25% of all breast cancers.
The drug – brand name Perjeta – is administered with drug Herceptin and chemotherapy.
Perjeta has the potential to bring a significant, and precious, extension of life to around 2,000 women with advanced breast cancer each year, by preventing the cancer from progressing.
Trials are now under way to find out if Perjeta can also help women with early-stage breast cancer.
Consultant oncologist David Miles, of the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in London, said: “This licencing has been much anticipated.
“It marks a significant step forward in treatment of this aggressive, disease.”