On July 9, 2018 CTI BioPharma Corp. (NASDAQ:CTIC) and Servier reported that the pivotal Phase III trial (PIX306) evaluating PIXUVRI (pixantrone) combined with rituximab in comparison to gemcitabine combined with rituximab in patients with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) did not meet its primary endpoint of an improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) (Press release, CTI BioPharma, JUL 9, 2018, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2357334 [SID1234527607]).
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"We are disappointed with the outcome of the PIX306 trial and will proceed to conduct a thorough review of clinical data to assess the next steps for the PIXUVRI program," commented Adam Craig, MD, PhD, CEO of CTI BioPharma. "We would like to express our appreciation to the patients, families and investigators who participated in the study."
Results from the study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.
About PIX306
The PIX306 trial is a randomized, multicenter trial comparing pixantrone combined with rituximab versus gemcitabine combined with rituximab in patients with aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
The PIX306 trial enrolled 312 patients who had relapsed after therapy with CHOP-R or an equivalent regimen and were ineligible for stem cell transplant. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) while overall survival (OS), complete response rate (CR), overall response rate (ORR) and safety were secondary endpoints.
For more information about the PIX306 trial, please visit
View Source
The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT01321541.
About Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)
NHL is a blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is defined as a network of vessels and glands that run throughout the body.1 The lymphatic system is a key component of the immune system, as it plays a role in destroying old or abnormal cells and fighting bacteria and other infections.2
NHL can occur in different parts of the body from the lymph nodes in the neck to the liver or spleen, but also in other organs such as the stomach, small bowel, bones, brain, testicles or skin.3 Around 168,000 new cases of NHL are diagnosed in the United States and Europe every year.
About PIXUVRI (pixantrone)
PIXUVRI is the first treatment in the European Union indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma (NHL).4 PIXUVRI is a cytotoxic medicine that works by interfering with the DNA within cells and preventing them from making more copies of DNA. This means that the cancer cells cannot divide and eventually die.5
PIXUVRI has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the United States (US).
PIXUVRI has conditional marketing authorization from the European Commission for prescription in the European Union (EU) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL.6 Conditional marketing authorizations are granted in the EU if all the following requirements are met: the benefit-risk balance of the product is positive, it is likely that the applicant will be able to provide comprehensive data, unmet medical needs will be fulfilled, the benefit to public health of the medicinal product’s immediate availability on the market outweighs the risks due to need for further data.7 The PIX306 report will be submitted to the EMA for evaluation by the end of December 2018.
PIXUVRI is mentioned in the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) guidelines as an anthracycline-like drug with reduced cardiotoxicity, which demonstrated some efficacy in heavily treated patients.8
The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) has the full prescribing information, including the safety and efficacy profile of PIXUVRI in the approved indication. The SmPC is available at www.ema.europa.eu
CTI granted Servier rights to commercialize the drug globally in all markets except the US. The two companies continue to work closely to build the efficacy and safety evidence for PIXUVRI and to ensure that as many eligible patients as possible are benefitting from it.
About Servier
Servier is an international pharmaceutical company governed by a non-profit foundation, with its headquarters in France (Suresnes). With a strong international presence in 148 countries and a turnover of 4.152 billion euros in 2017, Servier employs 21,600 people worldwide. Entirely independent, the Group reinvests 25% of its turnover (excluding generic drugs) in research and development and uses all its profits for development. Corporate growth is driven by Servier’s constant search for innovation in five areas of excellence: cardiovascular, immune-inflammatory and neuropsychiatric diseases, cancer and diabetes, as well as by its activities in high-quality generic drugs. Servier also offers eHealth solutions beyond drug development.
Becoming a key player in oncology is part of Servier’s long-term strategy. Currently, there are nine molecular entities in clinical development in this area, targeting gastric and lung cancers and other solid tumors, as well as different types of leukemia and lymphomas. This portfolio of innovative cancer treatments is being developed with partners worldwide, and covers different cancer hallmarks and modalities, including cytotoxics, proapoptotics, immune, cellular and targeted therapies, to deliver life-changing medicines to patients.