Bristol-Myers Squibb breast cancer drug ‘shows clear activity’

Bristol-Myers Squibb has presented the results of a phase II clinical study of its novel drug candidate ixabepilone, which has exhibited activity in metastatic breast cancer patients whose tumours have shown resistance to three chemotherapy types – anthracyline, capecitabine and taxane.

This trial was one of five phase II studies of the compound issued as an early release article of the Journal of Clinical Oncology ahead of its written publication in August.

In the 126-patient study, trial investigators reported an 18.6 per cent response rate, while objective measurements from the independent radiology facility showed an 11.5 per cent response rate.

Other findings of the study were a median duration of response of 5.7 months, time top response of 6.1 weeks, progression-free survival of 3.1 months and overall survival of 8.6 months.

Renzo Canetta, vice-president of oncology global clinical research at the company, noted that drug-resistance is often of major concern in the treatment of patients in the advanced stages of disease.

“The results of this study are important, as they provide valuable information about this investigational compound and its potential in patients with advanced breast cancer that is no longer responding to any of the current US-approved chemotherapy treatments,” he said.

Ixabepilone was granted priority review status by the US Food and Drug Administration in June 2006.