Wyeth phase 3 study shows temsirolimus increases survival time in patients with renal cell carcinoma

By Lisa Kerner

Charlotte, N.C., June 6 - Preliminary data from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals' randomized, open-label phase 3 trial of investigational temsirolimus (CCI-779) for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) showed that patients treated with temsirolimus alone experienced a 3.6-month, or 49%, increase in median overall survival time, compared with patients treated with interferon-alpha alone.

Wyeth presented the data at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Atlanta, according to a company news release.

Study participants included 626 patients with advanced RCC and poor risk features who had received no prior systemic therapy. At the time of the interim analysis, 442 deaths had occurred, Wyeth said.

Renal cell carcinoma accounts for about 85% of all renal cancers, affecting twice as many men as women. Patients with the most advanced form of the disease have a five-year survival rate of 20%.

Temsirolimus inhibits mTOR, a signaling protein that regulates cell growth and angiogenesis.

Located in Madison, N.J., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals specializes in women's health care, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products.

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