FDA Denies Cancer-prevention Use for GSK's Avodart

GlaxoSmithKline is not able to tout prostate drug Avodart as a cancer preventative, at least for now. FDA declined to approve the cancer-prevention indication for the drug, which is currently marketed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Glaxo didn't offer any explanation of the FDA decision, and it didn't say whether it will pursue the application.

An approval would have allowed GSK to aim Avodart at the estimated 1 million men at higher risk of prostate cancer, which could have added up to $1 billion to its sales.