GSK Announces Launch of Largest Ever Phase III Clinical Trial in Lung
Cancer Treatment
PHILADELPHIA, June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:
GSK) today announced final results of a Phase II proof-of-concept clinical
trial of its investigational MAGE-A3 Antigen-Specific Cancer
Immunotherapeutic (ASCI) in MAGE-A3 positive patients with stage IB or II
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). These data were presented at the 2007
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago,
Illinois, [Abstract No: 7554]. Final trial analysis showed a 27% reduction
in the relative risk of cancer recurrence following surgery in patients
treated with the MAGE-A3 ASCI, compared to placebo.
"Final results from this trial confirm the positive interim results
released last year at ASCO 2006, and support expanded testing of this novel
cancer immunotherapy," said Paul A. Bunn Jr., M.D., James Dudley Endowed
Professor of Oncology, Professor of Medicine and Director of the University
of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado. "This approach represents a
potentially momentous shift in the cancer treatment paradigm. I believe we
have only just scratched the surface of what is possible and look forward
to seeing the results of the Phase III trial in due course."
Based on these encouraging data, GSK also announced today the opening
of patient recruitment to the randomized and controlled Phase III efficacy
and safety trial for this novel cancer immunotherapy; the largest clinical
trial ever conducted in lung cancer treatment. MAGE-A3 ASCI will be
evaluated as adjuvant therapy in about 2,270 MAGE-A3 positive patients with
completely resected stage IB, II or IIIA NSCLC.
GSK's ASCIs aim to stimulate the patient's own immune response to
identify and attack cancer cells in a highly specific manner. This novel
cancer immunotherapy is developed using tumor specific antigens, delivered
as highly purified recombinant proteins, and GSK's own proprietary Adjuvant
Systems, which are specifically designed to enhance ASCIs anti-tumor
activity
Phase II NSCLC Clinical Trial Results
This Phase II double-blind, placebo-controlled study is the first
proof- of-concept trial for an ASCI in early NSCLC. The study randomized
182 patients with completely resected stage IB or II NSCLC to receive
either MAGE-A3 ASCI or placebo as adjuvant therapy. All patients
participating in the trial had cancers expressing a tumor-specific antigen
known as MAGE-A3, which is present in approximately 35 percent to 50
percent of early NSCLC(1).
The final analysis was performed at a median follow-up of 28 months. At
this time, 41 of the 122 patients receiving MAGE-A3 relapsed (30.6%); in
comparison to 26 of the 60 patients receiving placebo (43.3%). Using a Cox
regression model to adjust for the fact that patients in the different arms
were enrolled in the study at different times, there was a 27% reduction in
the relative risk of cancer recurrence following surgery, compared with
placebo (p=0.107). Although the study was not powered to show statistical
significance, the trend is encouraging and warrants continued clinical
investigation of MAGE-A3 ASCI.
In the Phase II clinical study, the most commonly reported adverse
events were mild local (pain, redness, swelling) or systemic (fever,
fatigue, muscle pain) reactions observed within the 24 hours of injection.
Out of 182 patients, one patient was withdrawn from the clinical trial due
to adverse events possibly related to the MAGE-A3 treatment. Based on
available results, GSK's MAGE-A3 ASCI may have the potential to be suitable
for maintenance therapy delivered intra-muscularly on an outpatient basis.
Phase III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Trial Launch
GSK is now recruiting for a Phase III trial evaluating MAGE-A3 ASCI as
adjuvant therapy in MAGE-A3 positive patients with NSCLC. With a target of
about 2,270 patients, the randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled
MAGRIT trial (MAGE-A3 as Adjuvant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Immunotherapy)
will enroll patients with stage IB, II or IIIA resectable NSCLC. The ASCI
administration will be initiated in two groups of patients: after surgery
and standard chemotherapy in one group of patients and after surgery in
patients who are not receiving chemotherapy. The primary endpoint of the
trial is disease-free survival.
"GSK recognizes the need for further investigation of MAGE-A3 in
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and we are therefore pleased to open the
clinical trial recruitment for Phase III to continue to evaluate this
exciting cancer therapy," said Vincent Brichard, Vice President of the ASCI
Program at GSK Biologicals. "We believe ASCIs may mark the start of a new
generation of cancer treatments, with significant potential across various
cancer types."
About ASCIs and MAGE-A3 ASCI
GSK's ASCIs represent a novel class of medicines designed to train the
immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells in a highly specific
manner. These novel cancer immunotherapeutics combine tumor antigens,
delivered as purified recombinant proteins, and GSK's proprietary Adjuvant
Systems which are specific combinations of immunostimulating compounds
selected to increase the anti-tumor immune response. ASCIs may be used to
reduce the risk of tumor recurrence following surgery, or to impact tumor
growth in an early metastatic setting.
The highly specific mode of action of GSK's ASCIs may not only avoid
harming the normal tissue but also aid in selecting patients eligible for
the treatment, depending on the expression of the tumor antigens.
MAGE-A3 is a tumor-specific antigen that is expressed in a large
variety of cancers, including Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Head and Neck
Cancer, Bladder Cancer, with no expression in normal cells. Expression of
the MAGE A3 gene has been observed in testicular cells but without antigen
presentation capabilities.
MAGE-A3 antigen has been in-licensed by GSK from the Ludwig Institute
for Cancer Research, the largest international academic institute dedicated
to understanding and controlling cancer. MAGE-A3 ASCI is an investigational
compound and it is not approved for use in any indication in any country at
this time.
About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.3 million
new cases of lung and bronchus cancer are diagnosed each year worldwide(1).
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 213,380 new cases
of lung and bronchus cancer and more than 162,000 related deaths will occur
in the United States in 2007. It is the leading cause of cancer death in
the United States for both men and women. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is the
most common form of lung cancer, accounting for about 80 to 85 percent of
all lung cancers(2). Approximately 35 percent to 50 percent of early NSCLC
expresses MAGE-A3(1).
About GlaxoSmithKline and GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals
GSK Biologicals (GSK Bio), one of the world's leading vaccine
manufacturers, is headquartered in Rixensart, Belgium, where the majority
of GlaxoSmithKline's activities in the field of vaccine research,
development and production are conducted. GSK Bio employs more than 1,500
scientists, who are devoted to discovering new vaccines and developing more
cost-effective and convenient combination products to prevent infections
that cause serious medical problems worldwide. GSK Bio is also developing
innovative immunotherapy compounds to treat cancer patients.
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 please visit http://www.gsk.com.
Enquiries:
UK Media enquiries: Philip Thomson (020) 8047 5502
Joss Mathieson (020) 8047 5502
Gwenan White (020) 8047 5502
US Media enquiries: Nancy Pekarek (215) 751 7709
Mary Anne Rhyne (919) 483 2839
Alice Hunt (215) 751 7709
European Analyst/Investor enquiries: Anita Kidgell (020) 8047 5540
Sally Ferguson (020) 8047 5542
David Mawdsley (020) 8047 5564
US Analyst/ Investor enquiries: Frank Murdolo (215) 751 7002
Tom Curry (215) 751 5419
GSK Biologicals Alice Grasset +32 475 30 90 20
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Under the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the company cautions investors that any
forward-looking statements or projections made by the company, including
those made in this Announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
Factors that may affect the Group's operations are described under 'Risk
Factors' in the 'Business Review' in the company's Annual Report on Form
20-F for 2006.
(1) World Health Organization -- Cancer -- Fact Sheet No. 297
(February 2006) (http://www.who.int)
(2) American Cancer Society Website (http://www.cancer.org),
Cancer Statistics 2006
SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline
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CONTACT:
UK Media: Philip Thomson, Joss Mathieson or
Gwenan White, all at (020) 8047 5502, US Media: Nancy Pekarek,
+1-215-751 7709, or Mary Anne Rhyne, +1-919-483 2839, or Alice
Hunt, +1-215-751 7709, European Analyst/Investors: Anita Kidgell,
(020) 8047 5540, Sally Ferguson, (020) 8047 5542, David Mawdsley,
(020) 8047 5564, US Analyst/Investors: Frank Murdolo, +1-215-751
7002, or Tom Curry, +1-215-751 5419; GSK Biologicals, Alice
Grasset, +32 475 30 90 20
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