Eisai’s Halaven shows efficacy as soft tissue sarcoma therapy

Eisai has announced new clinical trial data showing how its drug Halaven can be of benefit to patients affected by soft tissue sarcomas.

The eribulin mesylate-based anticancer agent was recently assessed in a phase III trial called Study 309, which compared the efficacy and safety of the drug versus dacarbazine in 452 adult patients with locally advanced or recurrent and metastatic soft tissue sarcoma.

It was shown that Halaven demonstrated a statistically significant extension in overall survival over the comparator treatment dacarbazine, meaning the study met its primary endpoint.

No other systemic treatment for locally advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma has been reported to extend overall survival in a phase III study, meaning Eisai's drug has now demonstrated overall survival benefit in two distinct solid tumour types.

The company said: "Eisai remains committed to providing further clinical evidence for eribulin aimed at maximising the value of the drug."

This comes after the firm recently highlighted clinical trial data showing the progression-free survival benefits its drug lenvatinib mesylate can offer for thyroid cancer patients.