Bond.az - Novartis (SIX:NOVN) reported on Sunday that early data from its experimental actinium-based drug showed signs of anti-tumor activity against prostate cancer, including in patients previously treated with its older drug Pluvicto.
Data from a 101-patient study showed that 52.5% of those previously treated with Pluvicto saw prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels fall by at least half. Elevated PSA is a common marker for prostate cancer.
Response rates were higher in patients who had not received Pluvicto: over 85% of those with no prior treatment and 58.8% of those who received chemotherapy first had PSA levels drop by half.
Novartis Chief Medical Officer Shreeram Aradhye said larger trials are needed to fully assess side effects.
The Swiss drugmaker is deepening its bet on radioligand therapies, which now account for nearly 40% of its cancer R&D investments. Pluvicto and Lutathera brought in $2.8 billion last year.
