Tuesday, Pfizer Inc PFE announced that a Phase 3 study of the antibody-drug conjugate Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) combined with lenalidomide and rituximab for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to lenalidomide and rituximab plus placebo.
Positive outcomes were also observed in key secondary endpoints, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rate (ORR).
This advancement brings Pfizer a step closer in the fight against DLBCL, a swift, menacing blood cancer notorious for thwarting initial treatment approaches. Nearly 40% of DLBCL patients face an unresponsive or relapsed disease after their first-line intervention.
Adcetris, now under Pfizer’s wing following a massive $43 billion acquisition of Seagen Inc, stands as a beacon of hope for patients grappling with lymphomas. Having garnered approval for seven indications in the U.S. and treated over 55,000 American patients since its debut in 2011, Adcetris has emerged as a standard of care.
The combination of Adcetris with lenalidomide and rituximab, as evidenced by the Phase 3 trial, not only extends survival rates but also marks a significant victory in the ongoing battle against DLBCL.
According to Pfizer’s Chief Development Officer, Oncology, Roger Dansey, “This latest success underscores the potential of ADCETRIS combinations in improving patient outcomes, especially considering that the study encompassed heavily pre-treated individuals, including those who had undergone CAR-T therapy.”
Data from the trial will soon be presented at a forthcoming medical conference, shedding more light on the positive impact of this groundbreaking therapy.
With more than 140,000 global patients benefiting from Adcetris, Pfizer continues to push the boundaries of medical advancement and redefine the treatment landscape for lymphomas.
Price Action: PFE shares are down 0.09% at $28.34 during the premarket session on the last check Tuesday.
Photo via Shutterstock