BREAKING NEWS: Breast cancer drug, Abraxane, also works in patients with advanced melanoma

A drug company contact I know emailed me this news today:

ABRAXANE MEETS PRIMARY ENDPOINT OF PROGRESSION-FREE SURVIVAL IN PHASE III CHEMOTHERAPY-NAÏVE METASTATIC MELANOMA STUDY

BOUDRY, Switzerland – (Oct. 2, 2012) – Celgene International Sàrl, a subsidiary of Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) today announced results of its phase III, randomized, international study (CA033) of ABRAXANE^® (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) in chemotherapy-naïve patients with metastatic melanoma. In the study, the primary endpoint was met with patients receiving ABRAXANE demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival compared to patients receiving dacarbazine (DTIC) chemotherapy.

The safety profile of ABRAXANE observed in the CA033 study is consistent with other ABRAXANE pivotal clinical trials. Data from this study will be presented at the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) Congress 2012 in Los Angeles in November. Future regulatory and clinical strategies are being reviewed in light of these results.

The CA033 study is a Celgene-sponsored, open-label, controlled, randomized study comparing ABRAXANE to standard chemotherapy, DTIC, in patients with metastatic melanoma. DTIC is the only chemotherapy approved since 1975 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for metastatic melanoma. In the study, 529 chemotherapy-naïve patients were randomized to receive either ABRAXANE (150mg/m² weekly for 3 out of 4 weeks) or DTIC (1000 mg/m² every three weeks). The primary study endpoint was independently-assessed progression free survival. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, overall response rate and disease control, safety and tolerability. 

These results are from an investigational study. ABRAXANE^® is not approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.

ABRAXANE^® for Injectable Suspension (paclitaxel protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) is indicated for the treatment of breast cancer after failure of combination chemotherapy for metastatic disease or relapse within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. Prior therapy should have included an anthracycline unless clinically contraindicated.