A recent trial on the treatment of breast cancer conducted by the Scientists at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology in Barcelona and the University of Leeds has shown surprising results. The results have found that new chemotherapy drug Eribulin may extend the life span of patients with advanced breast cancer.

The phase-III 'EMBRACE' trial of Eribulin was conducted on 762 women, all of whom had failed to respond to aggressive treatment with other therapies.

Out of these 762 breast cancer patients, 508 were given Eribulin while the other 254 were given a standard treatment recommended by their doctor.

The women who were given the treatment of Eribulin lived for an average of 13.1 months, whereas those who were given standard treatments survived for an average of 10.6 months. About 5% of these patients stopped using the drug because of numbness or pain.

The new drug is developed from chemicals in marine sponges. The Eribulin is under the brand name of Halaven. The drug binds the microtubules and prevents cells from dividing and causes them to self-destruct.

Dr. Julie Sharp, Senior Science Information Manager at Cancer Research UK, says that the phase-III trials have shown improvement in the survival rates of women with advanced breast cancer. More research on the drug will increase the survival rate of women suffering from the disease.