Pfizer announces trial results of pancreatic drug Sutent

Pfizer has published the results of a phase III clinical study into Sutent (sunitinib malat) – its drug designed to hinder the growth of advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

During the trial, Sutent was discovered to more than double the time patients lived without disease progression, compared to those treated with placebo.

The trial was halted in February 2009 due to Data Monitoring Committee recommendations, as the drug met its primary endpoint and showed significant benefits to those administered it.

Dr Mace Rothenberg, senior vice-president of clinical development and medical affairs for Pfizer’s oncology business unit, commented: “We are pleased to be working toward filling an unmet patient need, as we did with Sutent four years ago in patients with kidney cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumours.”

Earlier this month, Pfizer revealed that it will work with Debiopharm to co-develop the investigational compound tremelimumab (CP675206), which is being investigated for its effectiveness in the treatment of stage IV melanoma.