AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi Shows Significant Improvement in Survival Rates for Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
A recent Phase III trial, ADRIATIC, revealed promising outcomes for AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in treating patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). The trial demonstrated a notable enhancement in both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) among LS-SCLC patients who hadn’t experienced progression post concurrent chemoradiotherapy (cCRT), compared to those on a placebo following cCRT.
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is notoriously aggressive, often recurring rapidly despite initial positive responses to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially in LS-SCLC patients. The prognosis for LS-SCLC remains grim, with only a small percentage surviving beyond five years after diagnosis.
Suresh Senan, PhD, Professor of Clinical Experimental Radiotherapy at the Amsterdam University Medical Center and principal investigator of the trial, highlighted the significance of these findings, emphasizing the potential breakthrough for patients facing this challenging disease.
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President of Oncology R&D at AstraZeneca, underscored the transformative potential of Imfinzi in earlier stages of small cell lung cancer, suggesting a shift towards curative-intent immunotherapy treatments.
The safety profile of Imfinzi remained consistent with previous observations, with no new safety concerns identified during the trial.
These compelling results will be presented at upcoming medical meetings and shared with regulatory authorities worldwide.
While one arm of the trial, assessing Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi, remains blinded and ongoing, the positive outcomes of Imfinzi monotherapy are promising for the future of LS-SCLC treatment.
Imfinzi, already approved for extensive-stage SCLC and Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), continues to demonstrate its potential across various cancer types. AstraZeneca’s commitment to advancing lung cancer treatment is evident through its comprehensive portfolio and ongoing research efforts aimed at improving patient outcomes.
The ADRIATIC trial represents a significant step forward in addressing the urgent medical need for effective treatments in LS-SCLC, offering hope to patients and clinicians alike.
