UK-headquartered AstraZeneca (AZ; NASDAQ: AZN) has announced interim Phase III data demonstrating that the addition of pemetrexed plus cisplatin/carboplatin chemotherapy to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Tagrisso (osimertinib) improves therapeutic effects in patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The combination therapy reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 38% and extended progression-free survival (PFS) by 9.5 months compared to Tagrisso monotherapy, with benefits observed across various patient demographics, including sex, race, type of EGFR mutation, age, smoking history, and metastasis status.
Overall Survival Trends and Safety Profile
Although a favorable trend in overall survival (OS) was observed in the experimental arm, the data has not yet reached maturity. The safety profile of the dual therapy was found to be consistent with that of each individual component, providing confidence in the tolerability of the combined treatment approach.
Implications for Lung Cancer Treatment
These interim results suggest that the combination of Tagrisso with chemotherapy may offer a more effective treatment option for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC, potentially improving outcomes and extending progression-free survival. Further data, including mature OS results, will be crucial in confirming the therapy’s overall benefit and guiding future treatment strategies for this patient population.-Fineline Info & Tech
