The recent recommendation by NICE for AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with chemotherapy marks a significant advancement for treating resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in England and Wales. This decision is grounded in the compelling results from the AEGEAN Phase 3 trial, which demonstrated that this combination therapy significantly improves outcomes for patients.
Key Highlights:
💠Trial Outcomes:
◽32% reduction in the risk of recurrence, progression, or death compared to chemotherapy alone.
◽At 24 months, 63.3% of patients treated with durvalumab remained event-free, compared to 52.4% in the placebo group.
💠Treatment Approach:
◽Neoadjuvant therapy: Durvalumab with chemotherapy before surgery.
◽Adjuvant monotherapy: Durvalumab after surgery.
💠Safety Profile:
◽ The treatment was well-tolerated with no new safety concerns.
◽ Grade 3/4 adverse events were similar between treatment and control groups.
Expert Perspectives:
➡️ Dr. John Conibear, Clinical Director of Thoracic Oncology, emphasized the importance of integrating systemic therapies with surgery to address high recurrence rates in NSCLC patients.
➡️ Tom Keith-Roach, President of AstraZeneca UK, stressed the urgency of early diagnosis and the expansion of treatment options for this devastating condition.
This development underscores the growing role of immunotherapy in improving long-term survival for cancer patients. With Imfinzi now accessible through the NHS, it provides a promising new standard of care for individuals with resectable NSCLC .
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