Cometriq - Approved for Medullary thyroid cancer

          

           The U.S  FDA on 29th nov 2012 approved Cometriq (cabozantinib) , inhibitor of the tyrosine kinases c-Met and VEGFR2 effective in the treatment of progressive, metastatic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC).
              It is the second drug approved by the US FDA for the treatment of MTC , fist being  Caprelsa (vandetanib). MTC is a cancer arising from parafollicular C cells in the thyroid gland ,which normally secrete calcitonin - calcium lowering hormone. MTC is a cancer difficult to treat especially if it has metastasized. MTC diagnosed early are treated with total thyroidectomy.MTC is associated with familial cancer syndromes MEN(Multiple endocrine neoplasia) 2A and 2B. It is a rare type of thyroid cance with amounting to only 4% of all thyroid cancers.
            With the approval of Cometriq patients with advanced MTC will have a new ray of hope.

Source : http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm330143.htm