Novartis reports positive data from Afinitor NET study

Novartis has announced new clinical data that demonstrates the benefits its drug Afinitor can provide to patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).

Results from the RADIANT-3 trial demonstrated that Afinitor tablets, when added to best supportive care standards, offered better survival rates for patients with well-differentiated advanced and progressive pancreatic NETs.

Afinitor was associated with an unprecedented median overall survival of 44 months, which was not enough to qualify as statistically significant, but remains clinically meaningful.

The findings affirm the role of the technique of mTOR inhibition in treating advanced pancreatic NETs. Data from this study will now be submitted to relevant health authorities.

Dr Alessandro Riva, global head of Novartis oncology development and medical affairs, said: "Novartis has more than 25 years of helping to advance NET care and this study … emphasises our commitment to helping fulfill unmet needs for patients living with this disease."

The company presented this data at the 2014 European Society for Medical Oncology annual congress, where it is also sharing updated patient management findings for Afinitor in advanced breast cancer.