Pfizer, Astellas Accelerate Xtandi's Timeline In Early Prostate Cancer

Protocol changes for the Phase III ARCHES and EMBARK trials will deliver results in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer a year and a half earlier than expected. Xtandi may then gain a valuable new indication sooner than anticipated, but generics for competitor Zytiga could launch before then.

Cancer cell division of two prostate cancer cells in the final stage of cell division (cytokinesis) cytoplasm divides. the cells are joined by several thin cytoplasmic bridges. They to form tumours

Pfizer Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc. changed the protocols for the Phase III ARCHES and EMBARK clinical trials testing Xtandi in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) so that the studies now will deliver results about a year and a half earlier than expected for a new, potentially valuable indication – but it still may not gain them much ground ahead of generics for Johnson & Johnson's competing Zytiga.

Pfizer and Astellas said on Aug. 22 that they may complete the ARCHES trial, testing the androgen receptor inhibitor Xtandi...