AstraZeneca leukaemia drug trial reports positive results

(Sharecast News) - AstraZeneca said a phase three trial of its Calquence treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia had shown a "statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in progression-free survival" compared with a combination regimen.Calquence was compared with the combination of rituximab plus a choice of idelalisib or bendamustine, tAstra said in a statement."Importantly, the safety and tolerability of Calquence was consistent with the known profile.""Calquence is the first BTK inhibitor to show benefit in a phase III trial as a monotherapy compared to current standard-of-care combinations used in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukaemia," said the company's executive vice-president of research and development oncology José Baselga.