Clinical Study of Pfizer Pancreatic Cancer Drug Halted Early After Encouraging Progress Seen
A Pfizer drug for treatment of a rare, aggressive form of pancreatic cancer has done so well in a clinical study that the research was stopped early so all patients in the study could take it.
The drug, called Sutent, was undergoing a late-stage study when a safety board monitoring the results concluded it delayed progression of pancreatic cancer in people taking the drug compared to others in the study taking a placebo and standard cancer treatment, Pfizer said.
People taking Sutent in the trial will now be allowed to continuing taking the drug, but others who had been given a placebo will now have the option of taking Sutent.
Rare, Deadly Form of Cancer Studied
Patients participating in the Sutent study have advanced pancreatic islet cell tumors and a condition called neuroendocrine cancer. The disease occurs in pancreas cells which produce hormones including insulin and enzymes used in digestion.
Neuroendocrine cancer represents only about five percent of all pancreatic cancers, but is more aggressive and difficult to detect than other forms of the disease. The life expectancy of people with neuroendocrine cancer is short and in many cases, surgery is not successful in removing tumors, allowing the disease to return.
Apple Founder Has Neuroendocrine Cancer
Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs is battling neuroendocrine cancer and underwent surgery in 2004 to remove an islet cell tumor from his pancreas. Jobs said in January 2009 that he was taking a five-month leave from the company to attend to his health after experiencing weight loss and other health complications.
Sutent: Potential Blockbuster Drug
Sutent is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating advanced kidney cancer and gastrointestinal tract tumors. The drug earned Pfizer $220 million in sales during the fourth quarter of 2008 and is also being studied for use in treating cancers of the breast, lungs, colon, prostate, and liver.
Analysts predict that if given broader approvals, Sutent could generate annual sales of $1.5 billion by 2013.
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