GSK to initiate further phase III studies of pazopanib

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced “encouraging” new data for pazopanib in various cancers and has stated plans to initiate further phase III trials of the compound across a range of cancers.

Data relating to the drug as a treatment for soft tissue sarcoma, epithelial ovarian cancer and non-small cell lung cancer were presented this week at the congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology in Stockholm, Sweden.

The company said these results show the investigational angiogenesis inhibitor to have potential as a treatment for a number of different tumour types.

Pazopanib operates by targeting endothelial growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor and c-kit to inhibit the development and growth of blood vessels vital to the spread of tumours.

Paolo Paoletti, senior vice-president of oncology research and development at the company, said: “The data we have presented underscores GSK?s commitment to developing innovative and effective cancer treatments like pazopanib, which show promise for treating many tumour types.”

He added that the company’s phase III programme for the compound underlines its continuing effort to develop a gold standard of treatments of this type to drive progress for cancer patients across the world.

In June 2008, GSK announced that patients with advanced renal cancer showed an overall response rate of 25 per cent to pazopanib, with median progression free survival of 11.9 months.