Imutec Pharma Announces Positive Results in Pancreatic Cancer Trial

Strategic Insights -

Imutec Pharma Inc., a Canadian pharmaceutical company, has announced positive results from its Phase I/II trial of Virulizin(R), an immunotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer. The trial, conducted at the Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, involved 26 patients with advanced-stage incurable pancreatic cancer. Of the 19 evaluable patients, 17 (90%) were heavily pre-treated and had failed standard or investigational treatments, including the standard first-line treatment, gemcitabine. The results showed an overall median survival of 6.8 months and a six-month survival rate of 58%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The trial demonstrated that Virulizin(R) has clinical activity at least as good as gemcitabine in previously treated patients, with a much better safety profile.
  • The majority of patients (90%) were heavily pre-treated and had failed standard or investigational treatments, including gemcitabine.
  • The trial showed a statistically significant improvement in total quality-of-life change score, indicating an increase in overall patient well-being.
  • One patient who had received prior treatment with gemcitabine achieved a confirmed complete clinical response of several months duration using Virulizin(R).
  • The drug was well tolerated and was given with the optimal dose and schedule without undue side effects.
  • The results confirm and extend previous studies performed by the Company in Canada in pancreatic cancer patients.
  • Imutec Pharma plans to announce the final results for this study in the near future.

Statistics:

  • Overall median survival: 6.8 months
  • Six-month survival rate: 58%
  • Number of evaluable patients: 19
  • Number of patients with a confirmed complete clinical response: 1
  • Number of patients with a statistically significant improvement in total quality-of-life change score: 17

Sources:

  • Imutec Pharma Inc. /PRNewswire (Aug. 26, 1998)
  • Cancer of the pancreas accounts for 2-3% of all cancers, but is the second most common gastrointestinal cancer and the fourth most frequent cause of cancer deaths in the United States. (Estimated 29,000 new cases in 1998)
  • Global market potential for pancreatic cancer drugs: approximately U.S. $250 million
  • Median survival for patients treated with gemcitabine in a Phase III trial: 5.65 months
  • Six-month survival rate for patients treated with gemcitabine in a Phase III trial: 46%