Novartis NVS announced that the FDA has approved breast cancer drug Kisqali (ribociclib) for a broader population. The regulatory body approved Kisqali in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for the adjuvant treatment of people with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) stage II and III early breast cancer (EBC) at high risk of recurrence,

Women with early stage breast cancer may now take Kisqali, a medication already approved for advanced disease, following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's expanded approval of the treatment, drug maker Novartis announced Tuesday.

The Food and Drug Administration expanded the approval of Kisqali, a drug for metastatic breast cancer, to also treat patients with earlier stages of the disease, drugmaker Novartis said Tuesday.

The potential market for the Novartis drug Kisqali could grow markedly, now that certain early-stage breast cancer patients will be able to receive it.

An FDA approval has officially lifted the curtain on a blockbuster market showdown between Novartis and Eli Lilly in early breast cancer. | An FDA approval has officially lifted the curtain on a blockbuster market showdown between Novartis' Kisqali and Eli Lilly's Verzenio in early breast cancer.

Novartis said its Kisqali breast cancer drug produced longer success for those with certain forms of the disease.

The Food and Drug Administration expanded the approval of Kisqali, a drug for metastatic breast cancer, to also treat patients with earlier stages of the disease. NBC News' Kathy Park speaks to a woman who took the drug while it was in clinical trials and is now cancer free.

Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, comments on the progress of the firm's Kisqali metastatic breast cancer drug after the company recently received an extended approval for it from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.