Patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, a form of primary brain cancer, experienced a significant tumour response rate with minimal side effects when treated with enzastaurin, an oral, targeted agent under development at Eli Lilly and Company (LLY), according to the preliminary results from a phase II clinical trial.

Enzastaurin is the first targeted agent of Lilly Oncology to enter into late stage clinical development heralding a new phase of innovation for the group, which has produced Gemzar (gemcitabine HCl) and Alimta (pemetrexed), two of the world's leading chemotherapy agents.

Glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, is part of the larger group of tumours that impact the central nervous system, known as gliomas. Patients with highly recurrent glioblastoma are usually at a more advanced stage of the disease and correspondingly may face altered brain function or death due to the tumour's rapid growth rate. Radiation therapy is the most effective treatment following surgery.

The Phase II study results presented at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) show that tumour shrinkage was evident in patients who received enzastaurin, with a corresponding response rate of 20 - 25 per cent. Overall, enzastaurin was well tolerated in this patient population and clinical results show that patients experienced minimal side effects while administered enzastaurin. The most common side effect was thrombocytopenia, which is a low platelet count.