Updated Analysis From Phase 3 Trial Of Genasense(R) In CLL Shows Significant Increase In Duration Of Major Responses
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
May 13, 2005 9:59 a.m.
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J. -- Genta Inc. (GNTA) said, six months after it reported positive results for its Genasense drug in a phase III trial for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, new data show patients on the drug may be less likely to relapse.
In a press release Friday, Genta said 20% of patients treated successfully with Genasense and chemotherapy suffered a relapse, compared to 63% of patients treated successfully with chemotherapy alone.
The original trial tested about 120 patients in each group: 20 patients getting Genasense achieved partial or total remission, compared to eight on chemotherapy alone.
In the follow up, 4 of 20 then suffered a relapse, compared to 5 of 8 in the control group.
The company reiterated Friday that adverse side affects were more frequent in the Genasense group.
Patients were eligible for the phase III trial if they had failed standard treatment for the disease that had included fludarabine.
Genasense, or oblimersen sodium, is designed to enhance chemotherapy by inhibiting production of Bcl-2, a protein made by cancer cells that is thought to block chemotherapy-induced cell death.
The drug is also being tested to treat other types of cancer.
Shares of Genta rose 13.8%, or 17 cents, to $1.47 in early trading. Trading eclipsed its daily average of about 1.83 million shares less than a half hour after the exchange opened.
Company Web site: genta.com |
