Cambridge's AstraZeneca faces another setback in cancer drug trial
Lung cancer treatment halted while other trials show promise
AstraZeneca, based in Cambridge, has faced a new challenge with its latest lung cancer treatment trial.
The pharmaceutical giant announced the end of its phase three trial for the drug Volrustomig, combined with chemotherapy, after finding it was unlikely to extend survival rates for lung cancer patients compared to existing treatments.
The decision follows a recommendation from the Independent Data Monitoring Committee after a scheduled review of trial data.
This comes after AstraZeneca halted a trial for its Wainua heart disease drug in July, which impacted its stock market valuation significantly.
Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President at AstraZeneca, described the decision as disappointing but noted: “While we are disappointed, we will learn from this trial and are determined to continue pioneering new medicines from our industry-leading pipeline in our quest to improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer.”
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounting for nearly 23%.
While trials for Volrustomig targeting other cancers like cervical cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and mesothelioma will continue, AstraZeneca reported positive outcomes from its Enhertu treatment during a recent phase trial for non-small cell lung cancer.
Enhertu demonstrated a "statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival," leading to continued phase three trials.
Galbraith remarked on these findings by saying: “This aggressive lung cancer often affects younger patients and has historically had limited first-line targeted treatment options, making these positive results an important step forward in bringing additional effective therapies to patients at metastatic diagnosis when there is the greatest opportunity to improve outcomes.”
Shares in AstraZeneca rose by 2% during early trading on Monday.