Pfizer halts melanoma trial as drug fails

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Pfizer said researchers will work with their patients to determine if they are benefiting from treatment with the drug, tremelimumab, and should therefore continue treatment.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc said on Tuesday it was halting a late stage study of its experimental drug for advanced melanoma after a review of interim data showed it was no better than standard chemotherapy.

Pfizer said researchers will work with their patients to determine if they are benefiting from treatment with the drug, tremelimumab, and should therefore continue treatment.

"Although this outcome is disappointing, Pfizer remains committed to investigating new treatment options for patients with melanoma, a high risk area of research with significant unmet medical need," Charles Baum, who heads Pfizer's oncology therapeutic area, said in a statement.

(Reporting by Bill Berkrot, editing by Richard Chang)

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