Cancer drug 'may pave the way' for RU486

Offering medical abortions using a cancer drug could finally propel a more effective abortion pill, RU486, onto the market, a leading obstetrician says.

Queensland specialist Professor Caroline de Costa, who led the charge for RU486, says she is thrilled major sexual health clinics will now offer non-surgical abortions.

Women's health organisation Marie Stopes International has announced it will provide medical options at clinics in NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria from this month.

However, because of delays in accessing RU486 the clinics will use the cancer drug methotrexate.

RU486 was approved for use more than a year ago but no drug company has yet offered to supply it.

Prof de Costa, who spearheaded the campaign to approve the abortion pill, said the move by the clinics would boost the profile of medical abortions and the drugs involved.

"My belief is that offering methotrexate as an option will actually lift the chances of finally getting RU486 on the market here," Prof de Costa said.

"We need all the help we can get to get this drug out there because it is the best proven option."

Methotrexate is a cancer drug used by many individual obstetricians in small doses in combination with another drug misoprostol to induce abortions.

The use is "off licence", meaning it is not registered for this purpose.

But until now, clinics have not offered the treatment.

A Sydney pilot study run by Marie Stopes showed the drug was safe and effective with few side effects.

However, specialists agree that RU486 induces abortions faster and more effectively.

"Once RU486 is available via mainstream distribution and purchase from a pharmaceutical company in Australia, Marie Stopes International will be able to offer this option to clients," the company said in a statement.

Prof de Costa is the only doctor so far authorised to prescribe the drug and says it is proving "very effective" among her small sample of Cairns women with medical complications.

"It's great for them but what we want is to get it out there more widely," she said.

source : news.yahoo.com