AbbVie’s Topline Findings on Elahere in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
AbbVie recently released the topline findings of the Phase II PICCOLO research, providing promising evidence for the potential use of Elahere in the treatment of platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Elahere is an antibody-drug combination, consisting of mirvetuximab and soravtansine, developed by ImmunoGen.
The primary efficacy goal of Elahere was achieved, with a 51.9% objective response rate observed in patients who had previously undergone extensive treatment. The secondary outcomes of the study demonstrated that patients took an average of eight and a quarter months to respond. These results are significant for AbbVie and indicate the potential therapeutic value of Elahere in treating ovarian cancer.
In terms of safety, the Phase II study did not reveal any new concerns regarding Elahere. The adverse events reported were consistent with the data from earlier trials. This is reassuring news for patients and healthcare providers. Additionally, the findings further support the potential of mirvetuximab soravtansine as a treatment option for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.
According to Professor Angeles Alvarez Secord, a renowned expert in obstetrics and gynecology at the Duke Cancer Institute, there is a clear need for alternative treatment options for patients with platinum-sensitive diseases. Each subsequent line of therapy tends to be less effective and tolerable, highlighting the importance of exploring new approaches.
Despite not disclosing all the acquired data from PICCOLO, AbbVie has committed to sharing all the information at a future medical congress. This demonstrates their dedication to transparency and advancing scientific knowledge in the field.
Elahere is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) developed by ImmunoGen. It targets the folate receptor-alpha, which is commonly expressed in ovarian cancers. The treatment contains a maytansinoid payload called DM4, a potent tubulin blocker that can induce cell death. Elahere has shown promise in treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and received accelerated approval from the FDA in November 2022. In March 2024, it was granted full permission for development.
AbbVie acquired ImmunoGen, including the rights to Elahere, in November 2023 for $10.1 billion. The company reported that Elahere generated a global revenue of $64 million in the first three months of 2024. This figure represents a partial quarter of sales since the acquisition was completed in February 2024.
Prior to the acquisition, Elahere generated net revenues of $105.2 million in the third quarter of 2023. AbbVie is currently conducting the Phase III GLORIOSA trial in the United States, investigating the use of Elahere in combination with Genentech’s Avastin as a maintenance therapy for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer after second-line platinum-doublet chemotherapy administration.
The ongoing research and positive findings surrounding Elahere provide hope for patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, offering a potential alternative treatment option that may improve efficacy and tolerability. As the medical community eagerly awaits further data, AbbVie continues to make significant progress in the field of oncology.