Bayer HealthCare reports positive thyroid cancer drug trial data

Bayer HealthCare has announced positive findings from a new study evaluating sorafenib as a treatment for thyroid cancer.

Results from the phase III Decision trial – which was carried out in partnership with Onyx Pharmaceuticals – showed that sorafenib was effective in treating patients with locally advanced or metastatic radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer.

It was able to significantly extend median progression-free survival rates to 10.8 months, compared to 5.8 months among those receiving placebo.

Currently there are no approved therapies specifically for this form of thyroid cancer, with Bayer hoping to submit applications to regulators that would allow sorafenib to fill this gap.

Dr Kemal Malik, member of the Bayer HealthCare executive committee and head of global development, said: "This trial is representative of our continued commitment to fully understanding sorafenib's applicability across tumour types, especially in hard-to-treat cancers where there are limited treatment options."

Earlier this week, the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended Bayer's Eylea for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration in the NHS.