Reviewer: Ryan P. Smith, MD
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: July 4, 2004
Author: Roberts Jr TG, Lynch Jr TJ, Chabner BA
Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology, 21(19), 2003, pg 3683-3695
Materials and Methods
There are an unprecedented number (1345) of antineoplastic drugs in current development. This is compared to the 85 drugs currently approved. Though there has been a mechanism for accelerated marketing approval of cancer drugs on the basis of surrogate endpoints, such as response rates in phase II trials, the FDA will continue to require randomized trials of novel agents in their granting of marketing approval.The reasons for this is first, accelerated approval is only available for an indication where the new therapy offers promise over the existing standard. Also, there is fear that accelerated approval will create incentive to perform large, single arm studies in refractory patient populations, in hopes of approval. Also, there is recognition that many drugs will have modest activity in phase II trials, needing phase III trials to demonstrate a superiority
Three factors limit the performance of phase III trials: cost, developmental time, and risk. The cost of developing a new antineoplastic drug is estimated to be $802 million. Of this, the direct clinical expenditures cost is $175 million, of which phase III trials represent the majority (65% to 75%) of the cost. They also extend the time to marketing approval. Also, there is a high probability that the drug will fail to obtain approval. In the past 20 years, only 10% of all agents brought into clinical trials ultimately received FDA approval.
Using data collected from the review of the databases, the authors created a model for deciding whether or not to enter an agent into a phase III trial. The target validity is the first to consider. There is a risk in initiating phase III trials of targeted agents where the target has not been adequately validated. The agent also must have favorable pharmacokinetic properties, such as a high bioavailability, a long half-life, and shallow trough levels. The activity and toxicity in phase I and II trials should create a favorable therapeutic ratio. If this does not exist, it is unlikely that the drug will be at all clinically useful. Also in considering a drug for phase III trials, the disease targeted for treatment and the line of treatment should be considered. First line treatment is optimal, but it should be remembered that in going for this approval, randomization will be against the treatment with the most activity. Lastly, the potential for a market niche needs to be considered. In other words, a phase III trial is less likely to be initiated for a drug to treat an uncommon disease.
This report shows a sobering account of the expense and time required to gain approval for a novel therapy. It is because of these factors that novel drug prices, molecularly targeted therapies, and cancer vaccines are so expensive when they do gain approval. This also shows why there is relatively little research done on uncommon cancers. There is simply no market to cover the research deficit after approval is obtained. Though for safety reasons, much of this is needed, this article points out some areas where industry and governmental sponsors can improve. As the authors illustrate, there should be a stricter evaluation of patients and populations that may benefit from a novel therapy (be it cytotoxic agent, molecular agent, or vaccine), prior to initiating phase III trials. This can decrease time and cost, and increase efficacy, by treating a more homogeneous population.
Oct 4, 2010 - Men with advanced prostate cancer that has resisted prior chemotherapy with docetaxel survive a median 2.4 months longer if they take cabazitaxel instead of mitoxantrone, according to the results of a phase III trial published in the Oct. 2, cancer-themed issue of The Lancet.
Oct 4, 2010
Feb 1, 2010