US pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has published results from the Phase III EMBER-3 study for its drug imlunestrant in patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC). The study focused on patients whose disease progressed on a prior aromatase inhibitor (AI), with or without a CDK4/6 inhibitor.
Significant Reduction in Disease Progression or Death
The selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) imlunestrant reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 38% when used as a monotherapy. When combined with Verzenio (abemaciclib), the reduction increased to 43% compared to imlunestrant alone, demonstrating the potential synergistic effect of the combination therapy.
Imlunestrant’s Brain-Penetrating Properties and Clinical Efficacy
Imlunestrant is a brain-penetrant, oral SERD that delivers continuous ER inhibition, which has shown significant anti-tumor activities across multiple clinical trials. Its ability to penetrate the brain may offer additional benefits for patients with advanced breast cancer, particularly those with brain metastases.-Fineline Info & Tech