A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee has voted unanimously that axitinib (Inlyta) had a favourable benefit-risk profile for the treatment of patients with advanced kidney cancer after initial treatment has failed. The FDA, which usually approves products that win support from its advisory panels, is due to make a final decision in the first half of 2012. Panelists said the drug was at least as safe and effective as previously-approved treatments for the disease, such as sorafenib, but also has a different toxicity profule, which could be important for patients who cannot tolerate older treatments.

Axitinib is also being tested in another late-stage trial for kidney cancer as both an initial treatment option and in previously treated patients, as well as a treatment for liver cancer