Astellas reports positive phase III data for prostate cancer drug

Astellas has published new clinical trial data showing the efficacy of a new prostate cancer therapy.

In association with developmental partner Medivation, the company has confirmed positive results from a full interim analysis of Affirm, a phase III study that assessed the oral androgen-receptor signalling inhibitor MDV3100.

It was found that MDV3100 was able to help post-chemotherapy prostate cancer patients to extend their lives by an average of five months, as well as being well-tolerated and meeting all secondary endpoints.

Professor Johann de Bono, of the Institute of Cancer Research at the Royal Marsden Hospital, said: "There are currently few treatment options and this data demonstrates that MDV3100 may be an attractive proposition for the patients who have reached this later stage of their disease."

This comes after Astellas and Aveo Pharmaceuticals recently announced positive data from a phase III study of TIVO-1, a new treatment for advanced renal cell cancer.