Varian backs Phase III non-small cell lung cancer trial

Varian Medical (NYSE:VAR) said today it is supporting a Phase III clinical trial set to compare outcomes of radiosurgery against surgical resection for treating early-stage, high-risk operable non-small cell lung cancer.

The randomized “Stablemates Trial” will test the hypothesis that 3-year overall survival in high risk operable patients with Stage I NSCLC is equivalent or greater in patients who undergo stereotactic ablative radiotherapy compared to conventional surgery, the company said.

“In addition to a potentially longer survival rate, SAbR may benefit some lung cancer patients by offering them a noninvasive, outpatient treatment option that is easier to tolerate and that doesn’t interfere greatly with their normal, everyday living activities,” trial co-chair Dr. Robert Timmerman of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center said in prepared remarks.

The trial has currently enrolled 258 patients at 34 different locations, and is being sponsored by the Joint Lung Cancer Trialist’s Coalition and being administered by the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

The study will examine patient’s overall, disease-free and regional recurrence-free survival rates 3-years post treatment and for up to 5 years observing adverse events and post-treatment quality of life, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company said.

“Varian believes in supporting high quality clinical research. This clinical trial presents the opportunity to advance radiation oncology and enhance the standard of patient care by giving clinicians a noninvasive treatment option in determining the appropriate therapy for patients,” Varian oncology systems biz prez Kolleen Kennedy said in a prepared statement.

Last October, Varian Medical said it won CE Mark approval in the European Union for its latest generation ProBeam proton therapy system.

Proton therapy is designed for precise treatment of certain types of cancer while providing potentially fewer side effects than conventional radiation therapy, the company said.

In addition to precision, proton therapy reduces the risk of damage to healthy tissue due to controlled proton beams that can be targeted directly to the tumor site and avoid passing through the patient, Varian said.

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