Pfizer Launches New Cancer Treatment In NZ

MEDIA RELEASE

4 May 2007 For Immediate Release

Pfizer Launches New Cancer Treatment In New Zealand

The availability in New Zealand of Pfizer’s new cancer treatment Sutent (sunitinib malate), for two hard-to-treat cancers has been welcomed by leading oncologists in both Australia and New Zealand, said Pfizer Australia and New Zealand Senior Medical Director, Dr Bill Ketelbey.

Sutent was approved by the FDA in the United States for two indications simultaneously, and the product was registered in New Zealand late last year.

Sutent is indicated in New Zealand for both the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), after the failure of imatinib mesylate treatment due to resistance or intolerance.

“These two cancers are otherwise very difficult to treat, so oncologists in New Zealand welcome the availability of Sutent. It gives New Zealand patients an active and tolerable option for their cancer,” said Michael Findlay, Professor of Oncology at the University of Auckland.

Professor Grant McArthur, Head of the Molecular Oncology and Translational Research Laboratories at the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, said Sutent has been used in Australia on clinical trials for five years with promising results.

“It is a new treatment but it has rapidly become a major treatment option for RCC and GIST patients in Australia,” he said. “Our work with Sutent in Australia suggests it offers RCC patients with inoperable disease over a 25% chance of a substantial reduction in the size of tumours, and a four fold reduction in the risk of progression on Sutent than the usual standard of care.

Professor McArthur said he had been involved in the treatment of ten New Zealanders with advanced RCC or GIST.

“The treatment has led to the stabilisation of disease in several patients, and it is pleasing that the product is now available to these patients without needing to cross the Tasman,” he said.

Dr Ketelbey said Pfizer New Zealand was pleased that New Zealand is one of the more recent countries to approve the use of Sutent.

“Sutent is the first and only agent to be approved in the second line treatment of GIST following treatment with imatinib, and it is good that New Zealanders will have access to it,” Dr Ketelbey said.

“Each year around 242 New Zealanders suffer from advanced RCC, and approximately 52 suffer from GIST. Sutent, which simultaneously inhibits multiple pathways thought to be important for tumour growth and survival, represents a significant advancement for treating these hard to treat cancers.”

Dr Ketelbey said Sutent was not currently funded by PHARMAC, but Pfizer New Zealand has lodged a submission for funding to enable patients to more easily access the treatment.

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