Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 - (Page 4) 4 DRUG TOPICS NOVEMBER 3, 2008 www.drugtopics.com Of Interest to Pharmacists Stockholm oncology congress hears reports on several studies Walter Alexander, PhD A mong the key themes reported at the recent 33rd He noted, however, that PFS was higher for C/P Congress of the European Society for Medical On- at four months (61 percent gefitinib, 74 percent C/P), cology (ESMO) in Stockholm, Sweden were benefits to even between groups at six months (48 percent), and specific patient subgroups and lower for C/P at 12 months (25 developments in difficult-topercent gefitinib, 7 percent C/ treat tumors. P). Objective tumor responses An open-label Phase III in(RECIST criteria) were signifivestigation, presented as a latecantly higher for gefitinib (43.0 breaking ESMO trial, showed percent versus 32.2 percent, superiority for gefitinib (Iressa) P=0.0001), and overall survival compared with carboplatin and at 12 months was somewhat paclitaxel among 1,217 Asian pahigher (68 percent gefitinib, tients with advanced non-small64 percent C/P). Higher-grade cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who treatment-related adverse events had never smoked (94 percent) were lower for gefitinib (17.0 or smoked lightly (6 percent). percent versus 56.7 percent). The event was attended by more While lung cancer symptoms than 11,500 physicians and were similar between groups, — Dr. James C. Yao exhibitors. quality of life (total FACT-L Gefitinib was the first selec[functional assessment of cancer tive inhibitor of the tyrosine therapy-lung] and TOI [trial kinase (TK) domain of the epidermal growth factor re- outcome index]) improvement was significantly more ceptor (EGFR) to be developed. This Asian population, common with gefitinib (FACT-L, P=0.0148, TOI, stated professor Dr. Tony Mok, of Hong Kong Cancer P=0.0001, respectively). Institute, Chinese University of Hong Kong, has the highest incidence (about 60 percent) of the EGFR Therapy results mutation, making these individuals more sensitive to Among patients who were EGFR mutation-positive, such agents. The findings, Mok said, will change the gefitinib PFS advantages over C/P were marked and paradigm for first-line treatment of lung cancer in Asia significant (HR=0.48) compared with EGFR negative and are relevant for many patients. patients (HR=2.85). Similarly, ORR was 71.2 percent The IPASS (First Line IRESSA Versus Carbo- (gefitinib) and 47.3 percent (C/P) in mutation-positive platin/Paclitaxel in Asia) trial hypothesis was that a patients and 1.1 percent/23 percent respectively in muclinically-selected group of such patients treated with tation-negative patients. an EGFR TKI as first-line therapy (gefitinib 250 mg “Gefitinib can be considered an important therapy per day) would experience results at least as effective for first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic as those produced by standard carboplatin (AUC 5 or NSCLC patients with adenocarcinoma who have never 6)/paclitaxel (200 mg/m2 three times per week) (C/P), smoked or are light ex-smokers,” he said. Mok noted the but with benefits in tolerability and quality of life. The results are relevant for the 30 percent of western white primary non-inferiority measure was progression-free lung cancer patients who are EGFR mutation-positive. survival (PFS). In a further study leading to identification of a subgroup with outstanding benefits from treatment, By the numbers researchers found significantly higher response rates in Reporting PFS at an ESMO press conference, Mok patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) receiving said events occurred in 74.4 percent of patients receiv- an insulin-like growth factor type I receptor (IGF-IR) ing gefitinib and in 81.7 percent of those receiving C/P antibody (CP-751871) added to chemotherapy with (p<0.0001, HR 0.741). paclitaxel and carboplatin. “With octreotide and lanreotide, we were in the era of symptom control. We’re now moving into an era of tumor control.” http://www.drugtopics.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 Medication Errors: What to do When You Make a Mistake Stockholm Oncology Congress Reports on Several Studies Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 - Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 (Page 1) Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 - Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 (Page 2) Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 - Medication Errors: What to do When You Make a Mistake (Page 3) Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 - Stockholm Oncology Congress Reports on Several Studies (Page 4) Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 - Stockholm Oncology Congress Reports on Several Studies (Page 5) Drug Topics - November 3, 2008 - Stockholm Oncology Congress Reports on Several Studies (Page 6)
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