AstraZeneca posts mixed update on lung cancer drug R&D
Pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca issued a mixed update on recent research and development work on Tuesday.
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The drug giant confirmed that Imfinzi, a lung cancer drug which counters a tumour's "immune-evading tactics", had brought about a "clinically meaningful improvement" in survival rates for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer when used in combination with chemotherapies.
However, a second experimental arm testing tremelimumab, an anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody, did not meet its primary endpoint of demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in OS.
José Baselga, vice president of oncology research and development, said: "We are pleased to see the sustained and meaningful survival benefit of Imfinzi for patients with small-cell lung cancer after more than two years median follow up.
"We have already received the first global regulatory approval for Imfinzi with etoposide plus either carboplatin or cisplatin and remain on track for more approvals soon as we provide patients an important new first-line treatment option."
As of 0945 GMT, AstraZeneca shares were up 3.78% at 6,456p.