EU/3/05/284 - orphan designation for prevention of radiation proctitis

Sodium butyrate

Overview

On 27 May 2005, orphan designation (EU/3/05/284) was granted by the European Commission to Promefarm srl, Italy, for sodium butyrate (rectal use) for the prevention of radiation proctitis.

What is radiation proctitis?

Radiation therapy is often used as a treatment option in selected tumours. The technique employs highdose x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy will not only kill the tumour cells but also the adjacent normal cells or will cause some degree of injury to the surrounding tissue. Radiation therapy given to tumours located in the pelvis might thus harm the rapidly dividing inner lining (mucosa) of the intestines. Therefore, it may cause proctitis, which is an inflammation of the lowest part of the intestine leading to the anus, the so-called rectum. Patients may experience rectal pain, increase in bowel frequency, diarrhoea, tenesmus (painful and often ineffectual straining), urgency, fecal incontinence, mucous discharge and bleeding. Proctitis can last for weeks or months. Radiation proctitis is a chronically debilitating condition and may be life-threatening due to complications in some patients.

What are the methods of prevention available?

No satisfactory methods exist for the prevention of radiation proctitis that were authorised at the time of application.

What is the estimated number of patients at risk of developing the condition*?

According to the information provided by the sponsor, the estimated number of patients at risk of developing radiation proctitis was considered to be about 161,000 persons in the European Union.

*Disclaimer: For the purpose of the designation, the number of patients affected by the condition is estimated and assessed based on data from the European Union (EU 25), Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein. This represents a population of 459,700,000 (Eurostat 2004). This estimate is based on available information and calculations presented by the sponsor at the time of the application.

How is this medicinal product expected to act?

Sodium butyrate, if applied as a rectal solution, might protect the mucosa of the rectum from the injuries caused by the radiation therapy. Sodium butyrate could stimulate the repair and healing of the rectal mucosa.

What is the stage of development of this medicinal product?

The effects of sodium butyrate (rectal use) were evaluated in experimental models. At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, no clinical trials in patients eligible for prevention of radiation proctitis were initiated. The medicinal product was not marketed anywhere worldwide for prevention of radiation proctitis or designated as orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition, at the time of submission.
According to Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) adopted on 7 April 2005 a positive opinion recommending the grant of the above-mentioned designation.

Opinions on orphan medicinal products designations are based on the following cumulative criteria:

• the seriousness of the condition,
• the existence or not of alternative methods of diagnosis, prevention or treatment and
• either the rarity of the condition (considered to affect not more than five in ten thousand persons in the Community) or the insufficient return of development investments.

Designated orphan medicinal products are still investigational products which were considered for designation on the basis of potential activity. An orphan designation is not a marketing authorisation. As a consequence, demonstration of the quality, safety and efficacy will be necessary before this product can be granted a marketing authorisation.

EU/3/05/284: Public summary of positive opinion for orphan designation of sodium butyrate (rectal use) for the prevention of radiation proctitis

AdoptedReference Number: EMEA/COMP/140439/2005

Key facts

• Active substance:
  Sodium butyrate
• Intended use:
  Prevention of radiation proctitis
• Orphan designation status:
  Positive
• EU designation number:
  EU/3/05/284
• Date of designation:
  27/05/2005
• Sponsor:

  Promefarm srl; Corso Indipendenza, 6; 20129 Milano; Italy; Telephone: [phone]; Telefax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail]