AstraZeneca Completes Enrollment in First Phase III Study of the Investigational Drug Vandetanib (ZACTIMA)(R) in Non-Small Cell L...( WILMINGTON Del. Nov. 30 /- AstraZ...),Health

WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) announced today that it has completed enrollment of patients in the ZEST (ZACTIMA Efficacy Study versus Tarceva) study, the first of four Phase III trials for the investigational once-daily oral anti-cancer drug vandetanib. Data from the study is expected in 2008.

ZEST is a randomized, double-blind, multi-center Phase III study to assess the efficacy of vandetanib versus erlotinib in overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in over 1,150 patients with locally-advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of first-line anti-cancer therapy.

"Non-small cell lung cancer is an area of high unmet medical need, and we hope vandetanib will offer a beneficial new treatment option for people with lung cancer," said Dr. Peter Langmuir, Medical Science Director at AstraZeneca.

ZEST is part of a Phase III clinical trial program to gain a broad understanding of how vandetanib may benefit people with lung cancer.

The other studies are:

-- ZODIAC (vandetanib + docetaxel versus docetaxel alone)

-- ZEAL (vandetanib + pemetrexed versus placebo + pemetrexed); and,

-- ZEPHYR (vandetanib + best supportive care (BSC) versus placebo + BSC).

These studies are currently recruiting patients.

The Phase III program in NSCLC follows results from two Phase II trials where vandetanib was studied either alone or in combination with standard chemotherapy (docetaxel). (1)(2) Vandetanib is also being evaluated as a treatment option in medullary thyroid cancer and has been awarded Food and Drug Administration (FDA) orphan drug status and fast track designation for this indication.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a major international health care business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of health care services. It is one o
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