EU/3/11/902 - orphan designation for treatment of neuroblastoma
Eflornithine
OrphanHuman
Overview
Please note that this product was withdrawn from the Union Register of orphan medicinal products in November 2023 on request of the Sponsor.
On 27 September 2011, orphan designation (EU/3/11/902) was granted by the European Commission to Cancer Prevention Pharma Ltd, UK, for eflornithine for the treatment of neuroblastoma.
The sponsorship was transferred to Cancer Prevention Pharma (Ireland) Limited. Ireland, in April 2019.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of nerve cells which is usually seen as a lump in the abdomen (belly area) or around the spine. Symptoms may include weakness, bone pain, loss of appetite and fever. Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour outside the brain in children. In many cases it is present at birth but is diagnosed later when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and the child begins to show symptoms of the disease.
Neuroblastoma is a long-term debilitating and life-threatening disease that is associated with poor long-term survival.
At the time of designation, neuroblastoma affected approximately 1.1 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU)*. This is equivalent to a total of around 56,000 people, and is below the ceiling for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and the knowledge of the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP).
*Disclaimer: For the purpose of the designation, the number of patients affected by the condition is estimated and assessed on the basis of data from the European Union (EU 27), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This represents a population of 506,300,000 (Eurostat 2011).
At the time of designation, several medicines were authorised in the EU for the treatment of neuroblastoma. Treatments for neuroblastoma included surgery, chemotherapy (medicines to treat cancer) and radiotherapy (treatment with radiation).
The sponsor has provided sufficient information to show that eflornithine might be of significant benefit for patients with neuroblastoma because it works in a different way to existing treatments, and early studies show that it might improve the outcome of patients with this condition, possibly in combination with existing treatments. This assumption will need to be confirmed at the time of marketing authorisation, in order to maintain the orphan status.
Eflornithine works by blocking the action of an enzyme called ornithine decarboxylase, a polyamine enzyme, which is involved in the production of polyamines, substances required for cells to grow. In some patients with neuroblastoma, polyamine enzymes are over-activated and this has been linked with the rapid growth of cancer cells. By blocking ornithine decarboxylase, eflornithine is expected to slow down the growth of the cancer cells. This medicine is expected to be available as tablets and as a powder to be taken by mouth.
The effects of eflornithine have been evaluated in experimental models.
At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, clinical trials with eflornithine in patients with neuroblastoma were ongoing.
At the time of submission, eflornithine was not authorised anywhere in the EU for neuroblastoma. Orphan designation of eflornithine had been granted in the United States for neuroblastoma.
In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 8 July recommending the granting of this designation.
- the seriousness of the condition;
- the existence of alternative methods of diagnosis, prevention or treatment;
- either the rarity of the condition (affecting not more than 5 in 10,000 people in the EU) or insufficient returns on investment.
Designated orphan medicinal products are products that are still under investigation and are considered for orphan designation on the basis of potential activity. An orphan designation is not a marketing authorisation. As a consequence, demonstration of quality, safety and efficacy is necessary before a product can be granted a marketing authorisation.
Key facts
- Active substance
- Eflornithine
- Intended use
- Treatment of neuroblastoma
- Orphan designation status
- Withdrawn
- EU designation number
- EU/3/11/902
- Date of designation
- Sponsor
Cancer Prevention Pharma (Ireland) Limited
70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay
Grand Canal Dock
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel. +353 1 232 2000
E-mail: jjacob@canprevent.com
Review of designation
The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviews the orphan designation of a product if it is approved for marketing authorisation.
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:
Patients' organisations
For contact details of patients’ organisations whose activities are targeted at rare diseases, see:
European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), a non-governmental alliance of patient organisations and individuals active in the field of rare diseases.
Orphanet, a database containing information on rare diseases, which includes a directory of patients’ organisations registered in Europe.
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: