Lynparza by AstraZeneca/Merck

Long-term data from two phase 3 trials show the new drug developed by AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Merck (NYSE:MRK) Lynparza and clinically used in first-line therapies showed significant survival in some ovarian cancer patients.

AstraZeneca presented long-term results from a phase 3 study of olaparib as a monotherapy as well as 5-year follow-up data from a study called PAOLA-1 of Lynparza (olaparib) as a combination therapy (ESMO).

PAOLA-1:

In recently released PAOLA-1 data, Lynparza plus Roche’s (OTCQX:RHHBY) (OTCQX:RHHBF) Avastin (bevacizumab) increased median Overall Survival (OS) to 56.5 months, compared to 51.6 months with bevacizumab alone, in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer regardless of HRD status, according to AstraZeneca in a press release on September 9. 

According to the manufacturer, olaparib + Avastin reduced the probability of death in HRD-positive patients by 38% when compared to Avastin, leading to a clinically significant improvement in overall survival.

In comparison to individuals treated with Avastin alone, 65.5% of those treated with Lynparza and Avastin were still alive at five years, according to AstraZeneca.

The Lynparza/Avastin combination also increased median Progression-Free Survival (PFS; the amount of time a patient experiences the disease during or after therapy without it getting worse) to nearly four years (46.8 months), as opposed to 17.6 months with Avastin plus placebo.

Additionally, compared to 19.2% of patients receiving Avastin alone, 46.1% of patients receiving Lynparza/Avastin are still progression-free at five years.

SOLO-1:

Updated SOLO-1 study results show Lynparza reduced the risk of death by 45% in patients with newly-diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer with the BRCA mutation (BRCAm). This was in comparison to placebo.

Compared to 75.2 months for the placebo, olaparib’s median OS has not yet been attained, according to AstraZeneca.

67% of patients were still alive at the time of the seven-year OS study, compared to 47% of placebo patients.

Additionally, according to the business, the drug’s median time to first subsequent therapy was 64 months as opposed to 15.1 months for placebo. According to AstraZeneca, the safety profile in both trials matched that of earlier research.

Premarket Sept. 9: AZN +1.82% to $61.42

Featured Image-  Megapixl @Michaelvi

Please See Disclaimer