A study published in the medical journey The Lancet Oncology said that Axitinib stopped the disease in almost half the patients who saw no benefit from standard treatment.
The trial, funded and designed by Pfizer showed that the experimental drug slowed the growth of kidney cancer which would give Pfizer a backup product for its Stutent medication.
"Scientists followed 52 patients whose progressive cancer has not responded to treatment with cytokines, a group of drugs derived from proteins in the body's disease-fighting immune system. Twenty-three participants received some benefit from axitinib. About 30 patients experienced high blood pressure related to the treatment that researchers say may be managed by changing the drug's dosage."
Axitinib is an anti-angiogenesis treatment that stops cancer cells from dividing and chokes of the tumor's blood supply causing it to stop growing.
[Source: Bloomberg]
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