Health Canada approves Afinitor for treatment of brain tumours caused by TSC in children

Sep 14 2011

Families with children suffering from brain tumours caused by an uncommon genetic disorder known as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) have new hope with Health Canada's recent conditional approval of a new therapeutic use for the drug Afinitor (everolimus). Afinitor is the first drug therapy approved in Canada for the treatment of brain tumours caused by TSC in patients three years of age and older.

"We applaud Health Canada for recognizing the urgent need among these patients with their swift approval of Afinitor," says Dr. Philippe Major, a pediatric neurologist with CHU Sainte-Justine in Montreal, Quebec. "This medication gives us the opportunity to share the good news with parents that there is now an effective, approved therapy for their child's tumour in a case where surgery is not an option. This represents an important new advancement for patients suffering from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, and allows us to look forward with new optimism."

"We almost lost our son earlier this year due to complications related to TSC, so we were very grateful to learn of the first medication available to treat the disease, rather than just the symptoms, and to address his growing brain tumours," says Cheryl Oattes, the mother of Jeremy Oattes, an adult living with TSC. "After beginning treatment with Afinitor Jeremy's tumours have reduced in size, his seizures are much less frequent and his cognition shows marked improvement. This is a bright light for our family and those of newly diagnosed children who may have their lives forever changed by the early introduction of Afinitor into their medical management."