Bayer, Onyx Initiate BAY 43-9006 Trial in Advanced Primary Liver Cancer

Bayer Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals have announced the initiation of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial of BAY 43-9006 administered as a single agent in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer.

BAY 43-9006, a novel RAF kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor under investigation for the treatment of different types of cancer, combines two anticancer activities: inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels).

BAY 43-9006 is being evaluated in several clinical trials, including a Phase III randomized clinical trial for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, or kidney cancer.