Cephalon’s Treanda praised in study

Cephalon’s Treanda is as effective in treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma as the standard chemotherapy regimen with far less toxicity, researchers have said.

Also known as bendamustine, Treanda is used as a therapy for the condition within six months of healing that includes Rituxan.

The phase III study of 462 patients compared the drug with Rituxan, with the commonly used chemotherapy regimen CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin (adriamycin), Oncovin (vincristine), Prednisone/Prednisolone) plus Rituxan as a first-line treatment for the indolent or slowly forming cancer.

Dr Mathias Rummel, from University Hospital of Giessen in Germany, was the study’s lead investigator.

He said: “In practice, I would say that a lot of doctors will be convinced to use and to consider bendamustin/rituxan from now on as first-line treatment.”

Dr Rummel went on to say he believes oncologists will soon prefer to use Treanda instead of CHOP, as it has fewer side effects and fewer complications.

He added: “This is, of course, a big advantage for the doctor and the patient.”

In other news, Cephalon and Alkermes said they have ended their partnership on Vivitrol, an alcoholism drug.

Cephalon is expected to pay the company $11 million (7.45 million pounds) to cover expected losses over the next year.