- U.S.-based trial builds on previously presented data demonstrating some
of the highest reported complete remission and survival rates -
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Millennium
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MLNM) today announced the initiation of a
randomized, multi-center, Company-sponsored Phase III trial to determine
the most effective VELCADE based combination therapy with approved agents
for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients,
ineligible for stem cell transplantation. The trial, named UPFRONT and
conducted primarily at community physician networks nationwide, will
compare three VELCADE based therapies. VELCADE, currently the market leader
in relapsed MM, is being developed for registration in front-line MM based
on strong survival data seen in earlier clinical trials.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991220/MLNMLOGO )
"VELCADE has delivered some of the highest complete remission and
survival rates, rarely seen with the exception of high-dose therapy and
stem cell transplantation," said Ruben Niesvizky, M.D., New York
Presbyterian Hospital and Weill-Cornell Medical Center, and the UPFRONT
Principal Investigator. "Our goal with the UPFRONT trial is to further
evaluate VELCADE in combination with standards of care and identify the
optimal combination that will potentially extend survival in newly
diagnosed multiple myeloma patients."
The UPFRONT (Untreated Patients receiving therapy For multiple myeloma
in a Randomized trial Of three novel regimens for patients Not intending to
receive Transplant therapy) trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of
VELCADE and dexamethasone (VD); VELCADE, thalidomide and dexamethasone
(VTD); and VELCADE, melphalan and prednisone (VMP). The primary endpoint of
the trial is progression-free survival with secondary endpoints including
duration of response, overall survival and overall safety / tolerability.
Target enrollment for the trial is up to 500 patients and participants will
remain in the trial on treatment for up to one year.
UPFRONT has a unique, adaptive design, providing the flexibility to
modify the therapies (following an interim analysis) should a new standard
of care be established in the marketplace. The adaptive design will help
ensure that the most effective treatment options are evaluated in the most
efficient way.
For more information about VELCADE clinical trials including this
trial, patients and physicians can contact the Millennium Medical Product
Information Department at 1-866-VELCADE (835-2233). Additional information
can also be found at http://www.velcade.com.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy and
although the disease is predominantly a cancer of the elderly (the average
age of onset is 65 to 70 years of age), recent statistics indicate both
increasing incidence and younger age of onset. In the U.S., more than
50,000 individuals have MM and 20,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
Worldwide there are approximately 74,000 new cases and over 45,000 deaths
annually.
About VELCADE
VELCADE is being co-developed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and
Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. Millennium
is responsible for commercialization of VELCADE in the U.S., Janssen-Cilag
is responsible for commercialization in Europe and the rest of the world.
Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K. is responsible for commercialization in Japan.
For a limited period of time, Millennium and Ortho Biotech Inc. is
co-promoting VELCADE in the U.S. VELCADE is approved in more than 80
countries worldwide.
In the U.S., VELCADE is indicated for the treatment of patients with
multiple myeloma who have received at least one prior therapy. VELCADE is
indicated for the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma who have
received at least one prior therapy. VELCADE is contraindicated in patients
with hypersensitivity to bortezomib, boron, or mannitol. VELCADE should be
administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of
antineoplastic therapy. In the European Union and many other countries
worldwide, VELCADE is approved for patients with multiple myeloma after
first relapse.
Risks associated with VELCADE therapy include new or worsening
peripheral neuropathy, hypotension observed throughout therapy, cardiac and
pulmonary disorders, gastrointestinal adverse events, thrombocytopenia,
neutropenia and tumor lysis syndrome. Women of childbearing potential
should avoid becoming pregnant while being treated with VELCADE. Cases of
severe sensory and motor peripheral neuropathy have been reported. The
long-term outcome of peripheral neuropathy has not been studied in mantle
cell lymphoma. Acute development or exacerbation of congestive heart
failure, and/or new onset of decreased left ventricular ejection fraction
has been reported, including reports in patients with few or no risk
factors for decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. There have been
rare reports of acute diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease of unknown
etiology such as pneumonitis, interstitial pneumonia, lung infiltration and
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in patients receiving VELCADE. Some of
these events have been fatal. A higher proportion of these events have been
reported in Japan. There have been rare reports of RPLS in patients
receiving VELCADE. RPLS is a rare, reversible, neurological disorder which
can present with seizure, hypertension, headache, lethargy, confusion,
blindness, and other visual and neurological disturbances. VELCADE is
associated with thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. There have been reports
of gastrointestinal and intracerebral hemorrhage in association with
VELCADE. Transfusions may be considered. Complete blood counts (CBC) should
be frequently monitored during treatment with VELCADE. Rare cases of acute
liver failure have been reported in patients receiving multiple concomitant
medications and with serious underlying medical conditions.
Safety Data: In 1163 patients in multiple myeloma and mantle cell
lymphoma studies, the most commonly reported adverse events were asthenic
conditions (64%), nausea (55%) in single-agent VELCADE, diarrhea (52%),
constipation (41%), peripheral neuropathy (39%), thrombocytopenia (36%),
appetite decrease, including reports of anorexia (36%), pyrexia (34%),
vomiting (33%) and anemia (29%). Twenty percent of patients reported at
least one episode of grade 4 toxicity; the most common grade 4 toxicities
were thrombocytopenia (5%) and neutropenia (3%). Fifty percent of patients
reported serious adverse events. The most commonly reported serious adverse
events were pneumonia (7%), pyrexia (6%), diarrhea (5%), vomiting (4%), and
nausea, dehydration, dyspnea and thrombocytopenia (each 3%).
About Millennium
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical company
based in Cambridge, Mass., markets VELCADE, a novel cancer product, and has
a robust clinical development pipeline of product candidates. Millennium's
research, development and commercialization activities are focused in two
therapeutic areas: oncology and inflammation. By applying its knowledge of
the human genome, understanding of disease mechanisms and industrialized
drug discovery platform, Millennium is developing an exciting pipeline of
innovative product candidates. Millennium's website is http://www.millennium.com.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including
statements about the Company's growth and development of products. Various
important risks may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially
from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements, including:
adverse results in its drug discovery and clinical development programs;
failure to obtain patent protection for its discoveries; commercial
limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; the
Company's dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and
commercialize products and services based on its work; difficulties or
delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services
resulting from its development efforts; product withdrawals; competitive
factors; difficulties or delays in manufacturing the Company's products;
government and third-party reimbursement rates; the commercial success of
VELCADE and INTEGRILIN(R) (eptifibatide) Injection; achieving revenue
consistent with internal forecasts; and the requirement for substantial
funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization
activities. For a further list and description of the risks and
uncertainties the Company faces, see the reports it has filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward- looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Editors' Note: This press release is also available under the Media
section of the Company's website at: http://www.millennium.com.
Contacts:
Jennifer Snyder (media) Kyle Kuvalanka (investors)
(617) 444-1439 (617) 761-4734
SOURCE Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.millennium.com
http://www.velcade.com/
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991220/MLNMLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/114562.html/
CONTACT:
Media, Jennifer Snyder, +1-617-444-1439;
Investors, Kyle Kuvalanka, +1-617-761-4734, both of Millennium
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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