BOSTON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Eli Lilly & Co and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co said on Wednesday they have stopped enrollment in one of two late-stage trials of an experimental lung cancer drug due to concerns it may be linked with blood clots.
The Phase III trial, known as INSPIRE, is testing the drug, necitumumab, as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer.
An independent Data Monitoring recommended that no new or recently enrolled patients continue treatment in the trial because of concerns related to thromboembolism, or blood clots.
Patients who have already received two or more cycles of necitumumab appear to have a lower ongoing risk and these patients may choose to remain on the trial, after being informed of the additional potential risks.
The drug continues to be studied in a Phase III trial named SQUIRE. This study is evaluating necitumumab as a potential treatment for a different type of lung cancer called squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
(Editing by Maureen Bavdek) Keywords: LILLY BRISTOL/ (toni.clarke@thomsonreuters.com +1 617-856-4340; Reuters Messaging: toni.clarke.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The Phase III trial, known as INSPIRE, is testing the drug, necitumumab, as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer.
An independent Data Monitoring recommended that no new or recently enrolled patients continue treatment in the trial because of concerns related to thromboembolism, or blood clots.
Patients who have already received two or more cycles of necitumumab appear to have a lower ongoing risk and these patients may choose to remain on the trial, after being informed of the additional potential risks.
The drug continues to be studied in a Phase III trial named SQUIRE. This study is evaluating necitumumab as a potential treatment for a different type of lung cancer called squamous non-small cell lung cancer.
(Editing by Maureen Bavdek) Keywords: LILLY BRISTOL/ (toni.clarke@thomsonreuters.com +1 617-856-4340; Reuters Messaging: toni.clarke.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.