On March 2, 2015 Celgene reported that the European Commission (EC) has approved ABRAXANE (paclitaxel formulated as albumin-bound nanoparticles, or nab-paclitaxel) in combination with carboplatin for the first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in adult patients who are not candidates for potentially curative surgery and/or radiation therapy (Press release, Celgene, MAR 2, 2015, View Source [SID:1234502133]).

The ABRAXANE Marketing Authorisation has been updated across 28 member states in the European Union to include this new indication in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), adding to the existing indications for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic and breast cancers.

Lung cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women, however it is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Europe. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of lung cancer, accounting for 85 to 90% of all cases. The predominant cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking, although environmental and occupational factors also can cause the cancer.

The EC decision follows the positive CHMP opinion received on 23 January and is based on the results of a multicenter, randomized, open-label study including 1,052 chemotherapy-naive patients with Stage IIIb/IV non-small cell lung cancer. The study compared ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin versus solvent-based paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin as first-line treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The primary efficacy endpoint, overall response rate, was significantly higher for patients in the ABRAXANE/carboplatin arm at 33%, compared with patients in the control arm, at 25%. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 20%) of ABRAXANE in combination with carboplatin for NSCLC were anaemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, and fatigue.

Tuomo Pätsi, President of Celgene in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said, “At Celgene, we are pleased that the EC’s approval of ABRAXANE in NSCLC allows patients in Europe who have been diagnosed with this devastating disease to access this innovative nanotechnology medicine. The expanded application of ABRAXANE across three difficult to treat tumors – breast, pancreatic and lung cancers – reinforces the value ABRAXANE provides and our commitment to advance transformational science, deliver life-enhancing medicines and serve patients with cancers the world over.”