Biogen proves drug combo slows cancer

The data indicates that the combination treatment provides longer event-free survival (EFS) in patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) when compared to previous results with Rituxan monotherapy. Side effects of the combination were similar to treatment with Rituxan alone.

Combinations of biological agents, such as galiximab and Rituxan (rituximab), are emerging as a novel treatment paradigm in oncology. While current chemotherapy treatments attack both malignant and healthy cells, galiximab and Rituxan specifically target CD80 and CD20, respectively, which are found on normal and malignant B cells, but not on other tissues in the body. As a result, targeted therapies such as these may have the potential to improve existing treatments.

The dose-escalation study involved 73 patients from the US. The combination therapy produced a 64% overall response rate including 31% achieving a complete response (confirmed and unconfirmed) and 33% achieving a partial response. The combination use demonstrated an increase in EFS without a significant increase in toxicity compared to reported results with single-agent Rituxan.

“This is one of the first studies to use a combination of monoclonal antibodies. These study results show promise for the treatment of NHL, and the future of cancer treatment,” said Burt Adelman, executive vice president of development for Biogen “Treatments such as galiximab plus Rituxan could pave the way for more successful and more targeted cancer treatments. We look forward to seeing what future galiximab studies reveal.”