Pfizer Inc.’s cancer drug succeeds in trial

La Jolla, New York, March 13: Pfizer Inc. announced on Thursday that the company has halted a phase 3 clinical trial of its cancerdefine drug Sutent after the drug was found effective in treatment of advanced pancreatic islet cell tumors.

Evaluating the effectiveness of its drug Sutent (sunitinib malate), the company said it slowed the progression of rare pancreatic cancerdefine, also known as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

The independent data monitoring committee recommended pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. (nyse: PFE-news-people) to end the trial mid way as the drug proved more helpful in halting the progression of pancreatic cancer than placebo and other supportive treatment.

Results of the trial encouraged the company to administer Sutent to those who had been receiving a placebo. Patients will now have the option to either continue taking Sutent or switch over from placebo to Sutent.

Till date, pancreatic cancer, a deadly form of the disease, has limited treatment options available.

Dr. Mace Rothenberg, senior vice president of medical development and clinical affairs for Pfizer’s Oncology Business Unit, said, “We are delighted by these findings which demonstrate that Sutent provides a benefit for patients with advanced, well-differentiated pancreatic islet cell tumors — a rare cancer with limited treatment options.

“These and previously reported phase 2 data contribute to the growing body of evidence indicating activity with sunitinib in patients with pancreatic islet cell tumors.”

Rothenberg said the phase III clinical trial was halted “well in advance” of the target of 340 patients.

“This trial, I think, will provide some clarity with regard to a new treatment option, and also help us understand what the best option is, versus watchful waiting and best supportive care,” affirmed Rothenberg.

Following the encouraging results of the trial, shares of New-York based Pfizer Inc. moved up by 10 percent.

Sutent, developed by Pfizer researchers in La Jolla campus, is already approved for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and second-line gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). The company hopes that the drug will now be approved by FDA as a treatment option for advanced tumors of pancreasdefine.

Sutent (sunitinib malate) is an oral drug that helps to block molecules responsible in growth and spread of cancers throughout the body.

So far, nearly 38,000 patients the world over have been successfully treated with Sutent in the clinical trials. Pfizer made a whooping $847 million sale of Sutent in 2008.