Amgen drug shows ‘promising’ anaemia results

Amgen has announced the final results of phase II trials of Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa), reporting positive results in the treatment of anaemia in patients with low-to-intermediate risk of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

The treatment was administered once every three weeks to patients, with 74 per cent of patients that had not previously received an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent exhibiting an erythoid response.

Furthermore, 59 per cent of those treated had a response classified as “major”, denoting an increase in haemoglobin of 2g/dL or from baseline level, while 82 per cent of patients achieved haemoglobin levels of 11g/dL, the target level.

Janice Gabrilove, professor of medicine, haematology and medical oncology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said: “This updated analysis provides further evidence for the potential use of Aranesp in MDS patients to improve haemoglobin levels, reduce the need for blood transfusions and improve the patient-reported outcomes.”

She added that the results of the trials indicated the possibility of treatment being administered once every three weeks to suit patients that visit clinics sporadically.

Last week the company also reported the results of trials evaluating the efficacy of Aranesp to treat cancer patients with anaemi not being treated with myelosuppresive radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Phase II trials showed that 69 per cent of these patients treated with Aranesp showed a haematopoietic response, compared to 24 per cent of those administered with a placebo.