Promising Phase III Study Results for Thyroid Cancer Drug

AstraZeneca announced today that thier 'Vandetanib' drug showed promising results in treating advanced-stage medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in Phase III clinical trials.  Currently, ‘Vandetanib’  has orphan drug status with the FDA and EU. The company plans on applying for regulatory approval in the third quarter of 2010 for the drug.  The niche market use for the drug in MTC cases was found after clinical studies failing to show improvement in survival rates for lung cancer.  Results from the randomized, multi-center, double-blind study showed a 54% reduction in disease progression as compared to a placebo.

MTC is a type of thyroid carcinoma originating in cells producing calcitonin hormone.  ‘Vandetanib’ inhibits proteins such as RET involved with the development and progression of MTC.  Further study data and trials will determine if the current results will translated into an increased overall survival rate.  AstraZeneca stock (AZN) is currently down 0.02% in after-hours trading on the news.

For more information on the study, check out the links below:
Reuters
RTT News
Wall Street Journal (subscription required)