Novartis: RAD001 controls pancreatic NET

Novartis has announced the publication of new data showing that RAD001 controls the growth of rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET) when used as a monotherapy or in conjunction with Sandostatin LAR.

The results of the Radiant-1 trial found that 82 per cent of patients with the condition showed clinical benefit when treated with RAD001 (everolimus) every day and Sandostatin LAR.

Furthermore, 77 per cent of patients with pancreatic NET experienced clinical benefit when treated only with RAD001.

Novartis said the orally-administered mTOR inhibitor has the potential to become a new treatment option for patients with pancreatic NET, a condition with limited therapy options at present.

David Epstein, president and chief executive officer of oncology at the company, said: “These findings begin to establish the role of RAD001 as a promising new option for patients with a rare and deadly form of cancer that historically has not responded well to any treatment.”

He added that the combination treatment of Sandostatin LAR with RAD001 could offer a new approach to disease and symptom control in patients who have shown resistance to chemotherapy.

Last week, Novartis announced that RAD001 had had its brand name – Afinitor – accepted by the European Medicines Agency.