Bayer cancer drug cuts death risk 30 percent, study shows

An experimental drug developed by Bayer AG and Algeta ASA prolonged the lives of men with prostate cancer that's spread to their bones, a study found.

A trial of the drug, called Alpharadin, in 922 men was stopped early after an interim analysis showed that patients receiving it on top of standard treatment had a 30 percent lower risk of dying than those receiving just the current therapy, according to data presented on Friday at a cancer conference in Stockholm.

The results suggest Alpharadin may be the first drug to improve survival in men with cancer of the prostate that's spread to the bone, a worsening of the disease that occurs in 90 percent of men with the advanced stage. Bayer plans to apply for regulatory approval in Europe and the U.S. by the middle of next year, said spokeswoman Anna Koch.