Cephalon welcomes NCI Trisenox trial data

USA-based biopharmaceutical company Cephalon says that the results of a study of its leukemia treatment Trisenox (arsenic trioxide), conducted by the US National Cancer Institute, are an important development for sufferers of acute promyelocytic leukemia. The published data indicates that treatment improved the survival of adult patients suffering from this rare form of cancer.

The Phase III trial enrolled patients with previously untreated APL, who then received chemotherapy to induce remission prior to maintenance treatment with Trisenox. The results showed that the drug, in combination with chemotherapy, brought about a better overall survival rate than chemotherapy alone (77% versus 59%). In addition, the drug plus chemotherapy conferred a better overall survival after three years than the standard treatment (86% vs 77%), the firm noted.

Lesley Russell, vice president of worldwide medical and regulatory operations at Cephalon, said: "the results of this study showing a survival benefit associated with the use of Trisenox in patients with APL are an important development for physicians and patients." The firm added that some data from the program is available on-line at: http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/APLArsenic, and added that a full scientific presentation is planned for the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in June, in Chicago.