First FDA approved therapy for newly recognized breast cancer

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - The FDA has approved a medication that aims to treat a newly-recognized type of breast cancer called HER2-Low.

It’s for women with advanced breast cancer that can’t be surgically removed or has spread to other parts of their body.

In clinical trials, Enhertu nearly doubled the window of time women could live with their cancer and not get any worse.

It also increased overall survival from about 17 months in the group that got standard chemotherapy to 24 months in the group that received the new intravenous medication.

The FDA says cancer patients are eligible for Enhertu if their cancer has spread beyond the breast -- and they've already received standard chemotherapy or if their cancer returned within six months of completing chemotherapy.