LONDON (Alliance News) - Pharmaceticals form AstraZeneca PLC on Friday said its phase three Eagle trial of Imfinzi in advanced head and neck cancer patients failed to meet its primary endpoint.
The study assessed Imfinzi alone, as well as in combination with another Astra cancer drug Tremelimumab, and found that it did not improve overall survival compared to the standard of care.
Patients in the Eagle trial had recurrent or metastic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, meaning that their cancer had returned or spread to other parts of the body.
Squamous cells are the cells which line the mouth, nose, and throat and cancers of these cells are what is known as head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
"The prognosis for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer is very poor and new treatments for this group of cancers are urgently needed. While these results are disappointing, we remain committed to evaluating the potential of Imfinzi and other innovative medicines for patients with head and neck cancer," said AstraZeneca Chief Medical Officer Sean Bohen.
Astra is still awaiting results of its phase three Kestrel study, which will assess Imfinzi and Tremelimumab in combination for head and neck cancer patients that have not received chemotherapy. Results are expected in the first half of 2019.
Shares in Astra were up 0.3% at 5,972.00 pence on Friday morning.
Astrazeneca (AZN)