Pfizer Experimental Breast Cancer Drug Shows Potential
The experimental palbociclib drug developed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has shown the potential to treat advanced breast cancer in clinical trials. The company's April 6th press release stated that the drug prevented breast cancer from worsening for a median of 20.2 months in their clinical trial, which involved 165 patients. Current drugs on the market can only prevent breast cancer from worsening for 10.2 months, nearly half of what the palbociclib drug has shown to do. The PALOMA-1 phase II study achieved its primary endpoint by treating women with a combination of palbociclib and letrozole.
Dr. Mace Rothenberg, SVP of Pfizer's Clinical Develop and Medical Affairs, called the results a major advance. “These data demonstrate the potential of palbociclib to be a major advance in the treatment of women with this type of advanced breast cancer.We are proud to be at the forefront of research and development with respect to this promising new class of investigational anticancer agents and have initiated a broad clinical development program for palbociclib that includes breast and non-breast cancers.”
Dr. Dennis Slamon, a UCLA scientist who worked with Pfizer to help develop the drug, was also enthusiastic about the trial results. “These are as impressive results as I have ever seen. I do not say that lightly,” said Slamon.
Wall Street analysts, along with researchers, are also expecting the drug could be promising if and when it is released into the market. According to Forbes, analysts have predicted that the medicine could potentially generate as a much as $10 billion in annual sales if further studies are successful.
Companies Eli Lilly and Novartis are also currently at work testing similar medications in clinical trials.