Trials Define Anti-Tumor Effects of Anti-Resorptive Agents

Abstract

New data presented at the 2010 meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), at the 33rd San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), and released by Amgen are beginning to define the anti-tumor effects of Amgen’s denosumab (Xgeva™) and Novartis’s zoledronate (Zometa®) in multiple myeloma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

Just prior to the ASH meeting, Amgen received approval of denosumab for oncology indications. The antibody against RANK ligand, already approved as Prolia® for osteoporosis, will need to demonstrate advantages over its primary competitor zoledronate, a bisphosphonate.

Multiple myeloma data presented at the ASH meeting defined zoledronate’s ability to slow progression of disease as well as promote bone health, giving zoledronate a clear advantage over denosumab in myeloma. However, zoledronate failed to show an anti-tumor effect in the AZURE trial (Adjuvant Zoledronic Acid to Reduce Recurrence) presented at the SABCS, while denosumab data presented at the meeting suggested slightly greater efficacy than zoledronate in breast cancer.

Finally, top-line results from the ′147 trial (Study on Prolonging Bone Metastasis-Free Survival in Men With Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer) suggest that denosumab can help prevent bone metastases in prostate cancer, an ability not yet shown by zoledronate.