Amgen shows extended dosing of Aranesp to match weekly dosing

A phase II study has suggested that extended dosing of Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) when combined with chemotherapy treatment seems to be as efficacious as weekly dosing.

The results found that dosing of every two or three weeks depending on the chemotherapy regimen matched the efficacy of weekly dosing in relation to changes in haemoglobin

In addition no unexpected adverse events were observed with extended dosing.

Data presented at 14th European Cancer Conference (ECCO) in Barcelona, detailed results from two combined patient level analyses which showed that patients treated with Aranesp saw a decrease in blood transfusions and improvement in hematologic response.

Moreover these analyses highlighted no negative impact on overall survival or progression-free survival between patients receiving chemotherapy treatment with Aranesp and those that received no Aranesp treatment.

“In this study, Aranesp was consistently effective regardless of dosing frequency, providing healthcare professionals with the ability to adapt Aranesp treatment as required,” Timothy Rearden, haematology oncology consultant.

This week, Amgen also announced that the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use has communicated a proposal for amending prescribing information for Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents in the European Union, including Aranesp.