The most common form of lymphoma is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is derived from white blood cells growing in an uncontrollable and rapid manner.
The white blood cells frequently enlarge lymph nodes and can migrate to the liver, spleen, bone marrow or various other organs.
Each year over 25,000 cases of DLBCL are diagnosed in the US. Approximately 40% of these patients either relapse or develop refractory disease after treatment. Statistically significant positive results of ECHELON-3, Pfizer’s Phase III clinical trial for treatment of DLBCL, were recently announced by Pfizer Inc. The study investigated its antibody drug conjugate (ADC) Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin).
In an effort to avoid damage to a patient’s healthy cells, ADCs are designed to target chemotherapy agents directly to cancer cells. As stated in the recent Pfizer announcement, Dr. Roger Dansey, Chief Development Officer of Oncology at Pfizer said that the results of the study are especially significant.
The doctor reported that combining Adcetris with two other drugs improved survival in patients with DLBCL. The ECHELON-3 study is the third Phase III study of a type of lymphoma demonstrating overall survival from the Adcetris combination.
Favorable results extended to several secondary endpoints which included progression-free survival together with overall response rate.
About Safety
In the trial’s final analysis of Adcetris, it was reported that tolerability and safety had been consistent with prior reports from patients with relapsed or refractory (not responding to treatment) DLBCL.
Seven Drug Approvals
Adcetris’ first US approval began in 2011 followed by six additional approvals.
As many as 140,000 patients have been treated worldwide. Currently Pfizer and Takeda are working jointly under the terms of a collaboration agreement to develop Adcetris and preparing for an upcoming regulatory filing.
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cancer treatment clinical trial diffuse large b-cell lymphoma DLBCL lymphoma treatment
Last modified: April 30, 2024
