The phase 3 trial of the drug Inlyta for the treatment of patients with a high risk of recurrent renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer) following nephrectomy (removal of a kidney) is likely to be stopped after disappointing results, reports BusinessWire.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is caused by uncontrolled cell growth in the kidneys, which form tumours. The disease is most common in older men, but can affect anyone. In the early stages the cancer may not present any symptoms, but later effects include blood in the urine, fatigue, weight loss, vision problems, and a lump in the abdomen. RCC is one of the ten most common cancers, with approximately one in fifty men developing it in their lifetime. Of the people diagnosed, about 70% will survive at least five years after their diagnosis. The incidence of RCC is also rising, with a predicted increase of 26% over the next twenty years. Improving treatment options is therefore a priority for patients, healthcare workers, and researchers.
Inlyta is an existing treatment currently used in the U.S. and European Union for advanced renal cell carcinomas, following the failure of certain other forms of medication. The drug is taken orally and works by preventing certain enzymes from functioning, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors that are involved in tumour growth, blood vessel formation, and the spread of cancer. Pfzier, the company behind Inlyta, was hoping to also make the drug available for patients with recurrent RCC following kidney removal. However, the poor performance of Inlyta in clinical trials means that this is unlikely to happen.
