Tuesday, GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) announced that its cancer drug Bexxar for treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in heavily pre-treated, Rituximab-refractory patients, experienced an overall survival of 6.7 years in its Phase-II trial. In another Phase-II study, it was found that among 76 patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma, the 10-year overall survival rate with Bexxar was 83% and the 10-year progression-free survival rate was 38%.
In addition to the 10-year overall survival rate of 83%, results showed that the overall confirmed response rate was 95%; with 75% of patients in the trial achieving a complete response. The median duration of a complete response was 9.1 years and the median amount of time follicular lymphoma was responsive to Bexxar therapy was 6 years.
For non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Rituximab-refractory patients, the median overall survival with Bexxar was 6.7 years and the overall confirmed response rate was 65% and the complete response rate was 38%. The amount of time patients maintained a response to therapy was 18.9 months (median), with an estimated 40% of patients maintaining a response at five years. There were only two known relapses after two years. Additionally, patients experienced a median of 10.4 months without disease progression, with 28% of patients remaining progression-free at approximately five years.
Rival drug Rituximab is co-marketed in the U.S. by Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB) and Genentech, Inc.
In the other study, the long-term safety and efficacy data of Bexxar was evaulated in patients with slow-growing, follicular large-cell or transformed B-cell lymphoma, which was progressive after Rituximab. To date, 20 deaths have been reported and 10 without documented disease progression. Six second cancers have occurred; with two patients reporting leukemia, one prostate cancer, two skin cancers and one primary hepatic. The incidence of secondary leukemia remains the same as previously reported in 2005 at 5% i.e. 2 of 40 patients.
GSK is currently trading at $42.15, down $0.49 or 1.14% on the NYSE.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.