Novartis reports positive data from Tasigna leukaemia trial

Novartis' Tasigna has shown its efficacy as an early treatment intervention for chronic myeloid leukaemia in a clinical trial.

Results from the Phase 3b ENEST1st study, involving more than 1,000 patients with newly-diagnosed, BCR-ABL positive chronic myeloid leukemia, confirmed the benefits of first-line Tasigna treatment seen in earlier trials.

It was shown that the drug was associated with rapid and high rates of molecular response with a very low rate of progression to advanced disease, while it also demonstrated a favourable benefit/risk profile.

Bruno Strigini, president of Novartis Oncology, said: "Our commitment to chronic myeloid leukaemia remains strong and is exemplified by this trial."

The drug is already approved in more than 110 countries for the treatment of chronic-phase and accelerated-phase Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukaemia in adult patients resistant or intolerant to at least one prior therapy.

It is also sold in more than 85 countries for the treatment of adult patients with newly-diagnosed forms of the disease.