Pharmaprojects R&D Pipeline News Feed
Disappointment as Allos discontinues late-stage cancer compound
22 Jun 2007
Allos Therapeutics has discontinued development of one of its lead compounds, Efaproxyl (efaproxiral sodium), after it failed a pivotal Phase III trial for its lead indication of brain metastases originating from breast cancer. The US FDA had previously issued an approvable letter for the drug, advising that Allos needed to successfully complete the Phase III trial and submit results as an amendment.
Results from the ENRICH trial in which Efaproxyl was tested in combination with whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), indicated that patients receiving Efaproxyl with WBRT did not experience a statistically significant improvement in survival compared to WBRT alone. It also failed all secondary endpoints, but was well tolerated.
In light of this, Allos has decided to focus on advancing the development of its novel Phase II antifolate, pralatrexate (PDX), with Allos' Chief Medical Officer Dr Pablo J Cagnoni saying, "Although we are disappointed with the results of the ENRICH study, we are excited about the potential of our product pipeline".
