Lilly accepts closing of enrolment in glioblastoma trial

Eli Lilly has announced that, following an analysis of data from the study evaluating enzastaurin in recurrent giloblastoma trial, the external Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) has recommended a closing of enrolment in the worldwide trial.

The DMC reported that the interim assessment of the phase III trial investigating the efficacy of administration with enzastaurin for the treatment of the aggressive and recurrent brain cancer indicated that the compound would not meet its primary endpoint of improvement over chemotherapy.

Lilly will continue its phase III trials of the multi-kinase inhibitor that targets the PKCbeta and P13/AKT signalling pathways for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and a range of other more common cancers.

Richard Gaynor, vice president of cancer research and the global oncology platform leader at Eli Lilly, said: “We are disappointed for patients suffering from recurrent glioblastoma, but we remain confident and committed to the development of enzastaurin.”

He added that the condition was a difficult one to treat with a need for greater treatment options and that, following a 22 per cent response rate in phase II clinical trials, the company would review the data from the interim analysis and apply it to its development of therapy for glioblastoma.

Lilly again this week issued a response to what it called “misleading” reports in the New York Times regarding Zyprexa (olanzapine).