- Positive top line results in breast cancer study
- Potential to become new first-in-class treatment
- Rich history of breast cancer innovation
Pharma giant AstraZeneca (AZN) showed continued success in its breast cancer franchise after announcing positive top line results from a phase three trial of a combined treatment of capivasertib and Faslodex.
Capivasertib is an oral investigational treatment for multiple sub-types of breast cancer and prostate cancer. It is also undergoing a phase two trial for haematologic malignancies, which are cancers that start in blood-forming tissue such as bone marrow and the immune system.
The phase three global trial which enrolled 708 adult patients showed a statistically significant progression free survival benefit versus placebo (patients not taking the drug) in the overall population.
In addition, the trial showed a similar benefit in a prespecified sub-group of patients whose tumours had qualifying alterations in certain types of genes.
AstraZeneca’s executive vice president of Oncology R&D Susan Galbraith commented: ‘These exciting data in an all-comers population indicate that capivasertib could become a new first-in-class treatment option for patients with HR-positive breast cancer.
‘These patients often experience tumour progression on, or resistance to, available endocrine therapies for advanced disease and urgently need new therapies that extend the effectiveness of endocrine-based treatment approaches.’
Investors welcomed the news pushing AstraZeneca shares up 2% to £99.64 on Wednesday.
EXPERT VIEW
Susie Jana, pharma analyst at Shore Capital, said ‘AZN has a rich history of innovation in breast cancer, with its franchise now represented by marketed drugs Enhertu and Lynparza.
‘Importantly, the pipeline is primed to further build its presence and tackle the full spectrum of the disease.’
Separately AstraZeneca announced positive top line results from the SERENA-2 phase two trial of camizestrant, the ‘next generation’ antioestrogen treatment which blocks the hormone estrogen, which certain types of cancer use to grow.
