ASCO Confab: Who's Grabbing the Spotlight?

Side effects of PTK/ZK included hypertension and thromboembolic events. Researchers said PTK/ZK didn't increase bleeding or bowel perforation when compared with a placebo. The trial is ongoing and final results are expected in the second half of 2006. In its first quarter earnings release last month, Novartis reaffirmed its plans to submit PTK/ZK for regulatory approval in 2007.

On the positive side, the study did show that 40% of patients with a high level of LHD, an enzyme that suggests the presence of tissue damage, did show significantly improved progression-free survival.

In a press release, Novartis added that patients who received the PTK/ZK- Folfox combination had a 17% reduction in risk of disease progression, compared with Folfox alone when assessed by the patients' physicians. Assessment by central review showed a 12% reduction in risk of disease progression, however, the difference did not achieve statistical significance.

Positive Data from Bayer, Onyx

Trial findings from Bayer (BAY Quote) and Onyx Pharmaceuticals (ONXX Quote) for the experimental drug sorafenib confirmed interim phase III results in progression-free survival of advanced renal cell carcinoma, according to data discussed at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

As assessed by an independent review, progression-free survival was doubled to a median value of 24 weeks (167 days) in patients receiving sorafenib, vs. 12 weeks (84 days) for patients receiving the placebo.

Kidney cancer is resistant to most cancer drugs, but Sorafenib stopped or shrank growing tumors in trials comparing the drug and a placebo, researchers said. Sorafenib is running neck and neck in the race to Food and Drug Administration approval with Pfizer's (PFE Quote) experimental drug Sutent. Some analysts expect Sutent to come to market under another indication in this year's fourth quarter, then gain label expansion to include kidney cancer in early 2006.