Oct. 20, 2009 (United Press International) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has approved a new kidney cancer medication -- the sixth such drug to be approved since 2005.

The FDA said the newly approved drug, Votrient (pazopanib), interferes with angiogenesis -- the growth of new blood vessels needed for solid tumors to grow and survive.

Officials said Votrient, an oral medication, is intended for people with advanced renal cell carcinoma -- a type of kidney cancer in which the cancerous cells are found in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney.

"The last five years have seen dramatic improvements in treatment options for patients with kidney cancer," said Dr. Richard Pazdur, director of the FDA's Office of Oncology Drug Products. "Before 2005, the options available offered only limited effectiveness."

The five other drugs approved for kidney cancer and their approval dates are: Sorafenib (December 2005), Sunitinib (January 2006), Temsirolimus (May 2007), Everolimus (March 2009) and Bevacizumab (July 2009).

Votrient is manufactured by London-based GlaxoSmithKline. (NYSE:GSK)