New Meta-Analysis Confirms Safety Profile for NeoRecormon in Treating Anaemia in Cance...( BASEL Switzerland June 11 /- -...),Health

BASEL, Switzerland, June 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

- Data Published in the British Journal of Cancer Reports That NeoRecormon use has no Negative Impact on Overall Survival or Tumour Progression

A new meta-analysis of all 12 prospective, randomised, controlled studies in 2,301 cancer patients shows that treating anaemia with NeoRecormon(R) (epoetin beta) has no negative impact on survival, tumour progression or deaths caused by blood clots, when used within its approved indications (1).

These encouraging results reported in the British Journal of Cancer, June 2008, showed no new safety concerns with NeoRecormon when used in accordance with its label and current EORTC guidelines.

Key findings of the meta-analysis

- No statistically significant difference in terms of overall survival

between patients receiving NeoRecormon or control.

- No statistically significant difference in disease progression between

NeoRecormon and the control groups, however there was a trend in favour

of a reduced risk of disease progression among NeoRecormon-treated

patients.

- There was an increased incidence of thromboembolic events (TEE) in the

NeoRecormon group (7.1% vs. 4.4%). This is consistent with the risk

observed in the erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) class in

general, known by Health Authorities and described in all ESA labels.

There was no difference in the incidence of serious (4% vs. 3%) or

fatal TEEs (1% vs. 1%) for the NeoRecormon and control groups

respectively.

About the meta-analysis

- The meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate differences between

NeoRecormon and control (placebo or standard care) with regard to

overall survival, disease progression and TEEs.

- In contrast to other conventional meta-analyses, in this meta-analysis

individual patient level data and not study leve
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