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(Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC on Thursday said interim analysis of its Caspian trial of Imfinzi showed the drug improved overall survival in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.
Interim analysis of the phase three trial concluded that Imfinzi had met the primary endpoint - "a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in [overall survival]" - in patients who were given Imfinzi alongside chemotherapy, versus chemotherapy alone.
Jose Baselga, executive vice president of Oncology Research & Development at AstraZeneca, said: "The phase 3 Caspian results offer new hope for patients who are facing the devastating diagnosis of small cell lung cancer, and for whom new medicines are urgently needed. This is the first trial offering the flexibility of combining immunotherapy with different platinum-based regimens in small cell lung cancer, expanding treatment options."
At present, Imfinzi also is being studied in limited-stage small cell lung cancer following concurrent chemotherapy in the drug major's phase 3 Adriatic trial.
Imfinzi has already been approved as a treatment for stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer in a number of counties, such as the US and Japan, as well as in the European Union.
Shares in AstraZeneca were up 0.4% at 6,388.00 pence on Thursday morning.
