EU/3/04/251 - orphan designation for treatment of malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumours
N-(methyl-diazacyclohexyl-methylbenzamide)-azaphenyl-aminothiopyrrole
OrphanHuman
Overview
On 21 December 2004, orphan designation (EU/304/251) was granted by the European Commission to AB Science, France, for N-(methyl-diazacyclohexyl methylbenzamide)-azaphenylaminothiopyrrole for the treatment of malignant gastro intestinal stromal tumours.
Malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are the most common subtype of gastro-intestinal sarcomas, which belong to the group of soft tissue sarcomas. Soft tissue sarcomas are cancers of the tissues that support, surround and protect the organs of the body, such as muscle tissue and fat tissue. The cause of gastrointestinal stromal tumours is largely unknown. Gastrointestinal stromal tumours are most common in the stomach (60-70%), followed by small intestine (20 30%), and colon and rectum (5%). Gastrointestinal stromal tumours occur predominantly in middle-aged and older persons and are considered as a life threatening condition.
The current methods of treatment are surgical removal of the tumour and treatment with a medicinal product, which belongs to the same group of substances called tyrosine kinase inhibitors, aimed to slow down and potentially stop the tumour growth. N-(methyl-diazacyclohexyl-methylbenzamide)-azaphenyl aminothiopyrrole could be of potential significant benefit for the treatment of malignant GIST, because it could act in a different way and thereby might improve the long-term outcome of the patients. This assumption will have to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation. This will be necessary to maintain the orphan status.
According to the information provided by the sponsor, malignant GIST was considered to affect about 14,000 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.
Enzymes are proteins produced by the human body that speed up the transformation of certain substances into other substances. N-(methyl-diazacyclohexyl methylbenzamide)-azaphenylaminothiopyrrole blocks (inhibits) the enzyme tyrosine kinase. This enzyme plays a role in a cascade of molecular reactions to bring a certain signal from outside the cell into the cell thereby controlling the growth of cells. In GIST, the function of this enzyme is disturbed causing uncontrolled growth and multiplication of the cancer cells. N-(methyl-diazacyclohexyl-methylbenzamide)-azaphenylaminothiopyrrole might, by inhibition of this enzyme activity at a certain level in the cascade, help in slowing down or stopping the further growth of the cancer cells.
The effects of N-(methyl-diazacyclohexyl-methylbenzamide)-azaphenyl-aminothiopyrrole were evaluated in experimental models. At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials in patients with malignant GIST were ongoing. The medicinal product was not marketed anywhere worldwide for malignant GIST 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 16 November 2004 a positive opinion recommending the grant of the above-mentioned designation.
- 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.
Key facts
- Active substance
- N-(methyl-diazacyclohexyl-methylbenzamide)-azaphenyl-aminothiopyrrole
- Intended use
- Treatment of malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumours
- Orphan designation status
- Positive
- EU designation number
- EU/3/04/251
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
3, avenue Gerorge
F-75008 Paris
France
Telephone: + 33 1 47 20 10 35
Telefax: + 33 1 47 20 24 11
E-mail: contact@ab-science.com
EMA list of opinions on orphan medicinal product designation
EMA publishes information on orphan medicinal product designation adopted by the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) on the IRIS online platform:
EU register of orphan medicines
The list of medicines that have received an orphan designation in the EU is available on the European Commission's website: