Pfizer’s axitinib impresses in head-to-head trial with Nexavar
pharmafile | November 22, 2010 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Kidney cancer, Nexavar, Pfizer, axitinib, mRCC, metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Pfizer’s axitinib has impressed in phase III trials assessing its efficacy as a second line treatment for renal cell carcinoma.
The phase III AXIS 1032 trial was studying axitinib in previously treated patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).
The drug met its primary endpoint by significantly extending progression-free survival when compared to Bayer’s Nexavar (sorafenib), a standard treatment for the disease.
Dr Mace Rothenberg, senior VP of clinical development and medical affairs for Pfizer’s oncology business unit, said: “It is gratifying that in this trial axitinib provided significant benefit to patients with advanced RCC whose disease had progressed after fist-line therapy.
“These results provide insight into the potential value of axitinib as part of a sequential treatment approach in patients with advanced RCC.”
Rothenberg added that Pfizer would work with health authorities to determine possible filing options for axitinib in the near future.
Axitinib is an oral and selective inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors 1, 2 and 3.
These VEGF receptors appear to have roles in tumour growth, vascular angiogenesis and metastatic progression of cancer.
Pfizer currently develops both Sutent and Torisel for metastatic forms of RCC but GlaxoSmithKline’s Votrient, which was recently approved by European regulators for the same indication, is tipped to be the market leader.
If approved, axitinib would also have to compete against Novartis’ Afinitor, was approved for first line treatment of mRCC in the US this month.
Each year, around 210,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with kidney cancer and nearly 102,000 people are expected to die from the disease.
Five-year survival rates for patients with advanced RCC remain low, at around 20%, meaning treatments that could improve this stand to gain a large percentage of the market.
Ben Adams
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