GlaxoSmithKline Announces Expanded Indication For Hycamtin(R) To Treat Cervical Cancer In Combination Chemotherapy
"Advanced cervical cancer can have a very poor prognosis, even with current treatments, so physicians are always looking for new and effective therapies," said Bradley Monk, M.D., Associate Professor, Division of Oncologic Gynecology at University of California, Irvine. "These results show that Hycamtin extended the survival of these women, which is the ultimate goal."
The randomized, multicenter trial was designed and conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) and results were published last year in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study found that Hycamtin, in combination with cisplatin, was effective in treating cervical cancers which were not amenable to curative treatment with surgery and/or radiation therapy.
"The expanded use of Hycamtin in treating these patients with cervical cancer demonstrates GSK's ongoing commitment to bringing therapies to physicians for the treatment of women with cancer," said Kevin Lokay, Vice President of Oncology and Acute Care at GSK. "In addition to developing treatments, GSK is also developing therapies for the prevention of this disease. We are currently developing a vaccine for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer."
About the trial
The trial enrolled women with measurable, histologically-proven stage IVB, recurrent or persistent carcinoma of the cervix, who had recovered from the effects of prior surgery, radiation or chemoradiation. Patients were originally randomized into three arms: single-agent cisplatin (n=146, 50 mg/m2, every 21 days), Hycamtin plus cisplatin (n=147, Hycamtin 0.75 mg/m2, day 1-3 plus cisplatin 50 mg/m2 day 1 every 21 days), or MVAC (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin every 28 days). However, the MVAC arm was closed after 64 patients were enrolled, due to excessive toxicity.(1)
The study showed a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for Hycamtin plus cisplatin arm (log-rank P=0.033). Median survival for Hycamtin plus cisplatin was 9.4 months when compared to 6.5 months for cisplatin alone.(1) This GOG study was led by Dr. Harry J. Long III, Professor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Hycamtin plus cisplatin combination was generally well-tolerated. The most common dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression. Major hematologic adverse events (Grade 3 and 4) were more frequent in the combination arm than in the single-agent arm and included neutropenia (74% vs. 2%), thrombocytopenia (33% vs. 3%), Infection-febrile neutropenia (19% vs. 8%), respectively. The most common non-hematologic adverse events reported were constitutional*, Gastrointestinal, pain and metabolic toxicities.
About Hycamtin
Hycamtin is currently marketed in the United States by GlaxoSmithKline. It belongs to a class of drugs known as the topoisomerase I (topo-I) inhibitors. Topo-I is a naturally produced protein essential for cell division in both normal and cancer cells. Interaction between topo-I and Hycamtin results in permanent damage to the cell's genetic material and the death of dividing cancer cells. Hycamtin was originally approved for the treatment of small cell lung cancer sensitive disease after failure of first-line chemotherapy and for the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the ovary after failure of initial or subsequent chemotherapy. For more information and full prescribing information, visit http://www.hycamtin.com.
Important Safety Information
Hycamtin can suppress the body's ability to produce disease fighting white blood cells, a condition known as neutropenia. In addition, the amount of clotting cells can decrease (thrombocytopenia). Generally, Hycamtin has a mild to moderate non-hematologic toxicity profile. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and hair loss (alopecia).
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, visit http://www.gsk.com.
* Constitutional includes fatigue (lethargy, malaise, asthenia), fever (in the absence of neutropenia), rigors, chills sweating, and weight gain or loss. References 1. Long HJ. Randomized phase III trial of cisplatin with or without topotecan in carcinoma of the uterine cervix: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23:4626-4633. Media Contact: Michele Meeker, GSK (919) 483-2839
Source: GlaxoSmithKline