Results from phase-3 trial of Pfizer cancer drug disappoint

NEW YORK — An experimental kidney cancer drug made by Pfizer didn't extend the time in which patients survived without their disease worsening when compared with a competing drug, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial released Wednesday.



The drug maker announced results of the phase-3 "INTORSECT" study to compare Torisel (temsirolimus) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma whose disease had worsened after treatment with Pfizer's Sutent (sunitinib malate) with Nexavar (sorafenib), made by Bayer HealthCare and Onyx Pharmaceuticals.



While the number of patients who survived without their disease getting worse, known as progression-free survival, was numerically higher than among those taking Nexavar, the results were not statistically significant, Pfizer said. Torisel already has Food and Drug Administration approval for treating advanced renal cell carcinoma.



About 270,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with RCC every year, with about 20% having advanced disease at the time of diagnosis, according to Pfizer.

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