Pfizer's Sutent Scores Another Pancreatic Tumor Win (PFE)

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is stopping its Phase III clinical trial of Sutent early.  This is generally a scare over adverse events, but not in this case.  Sutent apparently has shown such a significant benefit in patients with advanced pancreatic islet cell tumors that an independent data monitoring committee has recommended halting the trial after concluding that Sutent demonstrated greater progression-free survival compared to placebo.

All patients in the trial will have the option to continue taking Sutent or be switched from placebo to Sutent. The full data set from this trial is being analyzed and more details will be presented at an upcoming scientific meeting.  In contrast to exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma, pancreatic islet cell tumors are rare, indolent tumors of the endocrine pancreas with an incidence of 5-10 per million worldwide annually. Pancreatic islet cell tumors include insulinomas, glucagonomas and gastrinomas. Current treatment options are limited.

Sutent is already approved for both advanced renal cell carcinoma and second-line gastrointestinal stromal tumor.  To date, over than 38,000 patients have been treated with Sutent in the clinical setting and trials.

JON C. OGG