New data presented gefitinib's antitomor activity.

2004 DEC 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- New data presented demonstrate gefitinib's (IRESSA) significant potential antitumor activity as a single agent and in combination with chemotherapy, in a variety of common solid-tumors.

Encouraging disease control rates are reported in combination with chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (57.7%), metastatic colorectal cancer (97.5%) and advanced ovarian cancer (61.2-80.9%); and as monotherapy in advanced oesophageal cancer (33%-37%). Research presented also extends our understanding of the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations and gefitinib sensitivity.

"These new data extend our insight into gefitinib's potential as an anticancer medicine and reaffirm this important new agent's ability to control disease across a number of tumors," commented Alan Barge, worldwide medical director of gefitinib, AstraZeneca. "These data give us confidence to extend our clinical trial program to identify the optimal use of gefitinib."

Robinet et al reported new data from a phase II trial evaluating gefitinib (250mg per day) combined with docetaxel compared to docetaxel alone. The disease control rate was 20% greater in the gefitinib plus docetaxol arm compared to the docetaxol alone arm. Twenty-six patients received gefitinib plus docetaxel and 24 patients received docetaxel alone:

-In the gefitinib plus docetaxel arm the disease control rate was 57.7%:

-11.5% of patients had a partial response (where their original tumor shrank by more than 50%) and 46.2% experienced disease stabilization

-In the docetaxel alone arm the disease control rate was 37.5%: