REFILE-Amgen cancer trial shows denosumab strengthens bone

(Corrects typographical error in headline to strengthens)

By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Amgen Inc (AMGN.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Friday that osteoporosis drug denosumab, the biotechnology company's most important new offering, increased bone strength in women receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer.

Amgen's first complete analysis of Phase 3 denosumab data, which showed a 5.5 percent increase in bone strength in drug- treated patients after 12 months, will help investors gauge if the drug can generate revenue of $1 billion to $2 billion a year and offset declines in Amgen's key anemia business.

Amgen announced in July that the company-funded study showed denosumab strengthened bones thinned by estrogen- depleting breast cancer drugs known as aromatase inhibitors.

Researchers said on Friday that denosumab, which is administered by injection twice a year, increased bone density in the spongy part of the bone.

It also demonstrated the added benefit of strengthening cortical bone, the dense outer shell of the skeleton that is responsible for the support and protective function of the skeleton, they said.

"In this study, denosumab data looks promising and, as a clinician, I look forward to having a potential alternative to existing therapies," said lead investigator Dr. Georgiana Kehr Ellis, from the oncology division at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle.

"We are very encouraged by our results," said Roger Dansey, global director of development for Amgen's denosumab oncology program.