Pfizer reports data from phase III trial of new cancer treatment

Pfizer has presented data from a phase III clinical trial of a new combination therapy for sufferers of previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The study was designed to gauge the efficacy of Pfizer's drug Sutent when used in combination with erlotinib, compared to a therapy of erlotinib alone.

It was found that the treatment did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for patients, but was successful in providing better rates of progression-free survival.

Dr Mace Rothenberg, senior vice-president of clinical development and medical affairs for Pfizer's oncology business unit, described this development as an "important finding".

He added: "We will conduct an in-depth analysis to gain further insight into these results and determine whether we can identify one or more subgroups of NSCLC for a future trial in either previously untreated or recurrent disease."

Earlier this week, Pfizer was granted World Health Organization prequalification for its new pneumococcal disease vaccine Prevenar 13, allowing the drug to be used by governments in national immunisation programmes.