GPC Biotech completes enrolment in phase III trial for cancer drug Satraplatin
AFX News Limited/Forbes.com, 12.05.2005

MARTINSRIED, Germany (AFX) – GPC Biotech AG said it has completed the targeted enrolment of patients for its Phase III trial of the Satraplatin drug to treat hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).

The Germany biotech company said more than 200 clinical sites in fifteen countries have now accrued a total of 912 patients for the trial.

The trial, named SPARC (Satraplatin and Prednisone Against Refractory Cancer), is a double blind, randomised study that is assessing the safety and efficacy of Satraplatin in combination with prednisone as a second-line chemotherapy in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).

Second-line treatment means the patients have undergone no more than one prior treatment regimen.

Satraplatin is a member of the platinum family of compounds and worldwide sales of these drugs exceeded 2.2 bln usd in 2004.

The drug has also completed Phase II trials in ovarian cancer and small cell lung cancer, and has started Phase II trials in breast cancer.

Several other studies evaluating Satraplatin in combination with other therapies and in various cancers are underway or planned.