Intas Biotech/Oncology has launched -- for the First time in India –Arsenox, a drug which offers an affordable treatment for relapsed Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML).

“Arsenox is a significant advance in the treatment of patients with APML. These patients would already have tried the standard treatment available. Another positive aspect of Arsenox is its cost. At present the treatment for Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML) is out of reach for many people due to it’s high costs. Arsenox is now accessible and very affordable as compared to the regular treatment available. In fact it’ll be one tenth the standard treatment costs.” Says, R Chandrasekaran, vice-president, marketing, Biotech/Oncology

Acute Promyeloctic Leukaemia or APML is the cancer of white blood cells that can affect patients at any time in their lives. Patients of Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML) suffer from blood clots, bleeding and fungal infections. Standard treatment available is with ATRA and Anthracyclines. However, despite being the standard treatment- the costs are prohibitively high with the cost of treatment with ATRA and Anthracyclines ranging between 6 to 8 lakh rupees – beyond reach for many people. Research has proved that the use of arsenic trioxide has shown complete remission or disappearance of all visible cancer cells in a significant number of patients.

Apart from the costs, sometimes patients who have undergone the standard treatment for Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML) suffer from a relapse. In such cases the use of salvage therapy is highly toxic and has a low rate of success. Arsenox has been approved for the treatment of patients suffering from such a relapse.

Arsenox, by Intas’ pioneering research & development team shows great potential for use in patients of recurring Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML) as well as for newly diagnosed patients of Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APML)- bringing hope to many suffering from the disease.