Pfizer reports positive trial data for cancer drug axitinib

Pfizer has reported positive new clinical trial data for its developmental therapy axitinib among patients with previously treated advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

The company conducted a study involving 723 patients in the EU, US and Japan to evaluate the compound in comparison to an alternative treatment option that is currently considered to be the standard of care.

Pfizer's drug was shown to deliver a significant boost in progression-free survival (PFS), with the median extension standing at more than six months, while those previously treated with cytokines were able to benefit from an additional year of PFS.

Dr Mace Rothenberg, senior vice-president of clinical development and medical affairs for Pfizer's oncology business unit, said: "We hope that axitinib will be approved as an additional therapeutic option for patients with advanced RCC, alongside Pfizer's two medications approved in this disease, Sutent and Torisel."

Full details from the study will be presented by the company at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting in Chicago next month, in addition to new data on treatments such as crizotinib and bosutinib.