AstraZeneca (AZ; NASDAQ: AZN) has released early data from a Phase II trial investigating the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) in patients with HER2-mutant unresectable or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trial assessed the efficacy and safety of different dosages of Enhertu, revealing that while a higher dosage of 6.4 mg/kg achieved a confirmed objective response rate (ORR) of 56.0%, a favorable safety profile was observed only at a lower dosage of 5.4 mg/kg, which achieved an ORR of 49.0%.
Progression-free and Overall Survival Outcomes
The trial also evaluated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for the two dosages. The higher dosage resulted in a median PFS of 15.4 months, compared to 9.9 months for the lower dosage. Notably, the median OS was only reached for the lower dosage group at 19.5 months, indicating a potential balance between efficacy and safety at the lower dosage.
Implications for NSCLC Treatment
These findings suggest that the optimal dosage of Enhertu in the treatment of HER2-mutant NSCLC may lie at the lower end of the tested range, offering both effective tumor response and a manageable safety profile. Further analysis and trials will be crucial in determining the most effective and safest dosage for patients with this specific type of lung cancer.-Fineline Info & Tech
