Amgen encouraged by new cancer drug data

Amgen, the American biopharmaceutical company, has said it is encouraged by the results shown for a new treatment for cancer called AMG 706.

The investigational VEGF inhibitor, taken orally, was given to 138 patients with imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumours. On average, the progression-free survival reached 16 weeks, while 26 progression-free survival reaching 27 per cent. Overall survival time was 59 weeks.

VEGF inhibitors are used to block the angiogenesis – the creation of blood supply to a tumour – while AMG 706 targets tyrosine kinases in particular, which plays an “important role” in controlling tumour growth and cell development.

Robert Benjamin, sarcoma oncology professor at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre, remarked: “This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of AMG 706 given for at least eight weeks to patients whose disease progressed or relapsed while receiving imatinib.”

Based on these encouraging findings, we believe that further study of AMG 706 is warranted,” he added.

Amgen has several compounds in development for the treatment of cancer, including panitumumab, Denosumab and AMG 951.

Last month, the company reported strong sales, helped by increased sales in Aranesp.