Jun 20 2011
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), announced today that a pivotal Phase II study with vismodegib showed positive results in people with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) for whom surgery is considered inappropriate. Basal cell carcinoma is a form of skin cancer that can cause disfiguring and debilitating effects and can ultimately be life-threatening. Vismodegib is an investigational, oral medicine designed to selectively inhibit signaling in the Hedgehog pathway, which is implicated in more than 90 percent of BCC cases.
The trial showed vismodegib substantially shrank tumors or healed visible lesions (overall response rate) in 43 percent of patients with locally advanced BCC (laBCC) and 30 percent of patients with metastatic BCC (mBCC), as assessed by independent review, the primary endpoint. The most common drug-related adverse events were muscle spasms, hair loss, altered taste sensation, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, decreased appetite and diarrhea.
"Vismodegib is an example of our commitment to understanding and developing medicines that target the biologic cause of a particular disease," said Hal Barron, M.D., chief medical officer and head, Global Product Development. "Our goal is to provide a medicine to people with this rare and disfiguring form of advanced skin cancer as soon as possible, and we are discussing these results with global regulatory authorities."
Source: Genentech
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