Posted on 11/12/2009 in Pharmaceutical Company Product News Novartis has revealed that a phase III trial has demonstrated the effectiveness of Tasigna (nilotinib) in the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML).
The study showed that of two oral treatments used as an initial therapy for this life-threatening blood cancer, Tasigna results showed a statistically significant improvement over existing drug Glivec (imatinib) in every measure of efficacy.
This includes major complete cytogenetic response, molecular response and prevention of progression to accelerated or blastic phase.
Giuseppe Saglio, a member of the study management committee, commented: "The outstanding rates of response observed with Tasigna, combined with the very low rate of disease progression, strongly indicate that patients who begin their treatment with Tasigna may have long-term improvement of progression-free survival."
In other Novartis news this week, the firm announced plans to expand its oncology portfolio by exploring new indications for marketed drugs and revealed that it currently has two treatments in development and on-schedule as of the end of 2009 - Tasigna and Zometa.Other news stories from 11/12/2009
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