Novartis data at ASCO show LBH589 significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with multiple myeloma

Basel, June 2, 2014 - Novartis today presented results from a pivotal Phase III trial showing a 37% improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) when using the investigational compound LBH589 (panobinostat) in combination with bortezomib[*]and dexamethasone compared to treatment with the same regimen with placebo in patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, meeting the primary endpoint of the study (hazard ratio=0.63 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52 to 0.76]; p<0.0001)[1]. The PANORAMA-1 (PANobinostat ORAl in Multiple MyelomA) trial results were presented in an oral session at the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

"Almost all patients with multiple myeloma ultimately relapse and become resistant to treatment, so new therapies are critical for continuing to manage the disease and improve outcomes," said study investigator Paul Richardson, MD, Clinical Program Leader and Director of Clinical Research, Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "These are the first Phase III results to show meaningful clinical benefit and provide scientific support for adding LBH589 to bortezomib-based treatment for patients with relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma and provide a strong rationale for the use of histone deacetylase inhibitors as part of the therapeutic armamentarium in this setting."

Novartis data at ASCO show LBH589 significantly improved progression-free survival in patients with multiple myeloma