Merck KGaA reports ‘encouraging’ results in glioblastoma patients

Merck KGaA has reported “encouraging” results of a phase I/IIa clinical study of patients with glioblastoma – an aggressive form of brain cancer – administered with cilengitide.

In the trials, patients with recently diagnosed glioblastoma were administered with the compound in conjunction with traditional treatment regiments of temozolomide and radiotherapy following the resection or biopsy of their tumour.

These patients saw a median progression-free survival of 8.1 months while reaching a 69 per cent rate of progression-free survival at six months – the predetermined endpoint of the study.

Developed by Merck, cilengitide is an integrin inhibitor that is thought to operate by specifically targeting tumours and their vasculature. Integrins play a key role in the blood vessel growth needed by tumours.

Dr Roger Stupp, lead investigator of the study, conveyed his excitement at the recording of these trial results.

“They demonstrate the potential of cilengitide to make a real difference to the outcome of patients with this aggressive type of brain cancer, where currently available treatment options are limited and prognosis is poor.”

He added that scientists anticipated additional information regarding the compound following trials involving larger numbers of patients.

In April 2007, Merck announced positive trial data relating to the administration of Erbitux (cetuximab) in conjunction with irinotecan-based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.