A Phase III study of radiation therapy versus sorafenib (Nexavar) to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma led by the National Cancer Centre of Singapore (NCCS), along with the Singapore Clinical Research Institute and Sirtex Medical, has completed enrollment for an Asia effort with results due in the first half of next year.
In a release, the NCCS said the liver cancer study called SIRveNIB evaluates Australia-based Sirtex Medical's internal radiation therapy SIR-Spheres Y-90 resin microspheres for efficacy and safety against current standard of care, sorafenib, with the branded product made by Bayer HealthCare.
"The Principal Investigator of this study is Professor Pierce Chow, a senior consultant surgeon at the NCCS," according to the release. "Besides the primary endpoint of overall survival in SIRveNIB, the team also looks at a comparison of the side effects and patient quality of life with these two very different approaches to treating unresectable HCC."
The release said 360 patients are now enrolled at 27 centers across 10 Asia-Pacific countries including Singapore and New Zealand.
Sirtex, listed on the Australia Stock Exchange, had a roller-coaster ride last year that saw it soar above AU$50/share and then fall to levels around AU$20 after disappointing results of its Sirflox colorectal cancer treatment, though a secondary study showed positive signs that Sirflox helped treat liver tumors.
Shares are now quoted around AU$28.00.
- here's the NCCS site
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