TAGRISSO® (osimertinib) demonstrated 5.5-year median disease-free survival in the adjuvant treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Updated results from the pivotal ADAURA Phase III trial showed that AstraZeneca’s TAGRISSO^® (osimertinib) demonstrated a sustained, clinically meaningful improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) compared to placebo in the adjuvant treatment of patients with early-stage (IB, II and IIIA) epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after complete tumor resection with curative intent.

These late-breaking results will be presented today at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2022 in Paris (abstract #LBA47).

With an additional two years of follow-up from the 2020 readout, allowing all patients the opportunity to complete three years of adjuvant treatment, TAGRISSO reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death by 77% (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18-0.30) in the primary analysis population (Stages II-IIIA) and by 73% (HR 0.27; 95% CI 0.21-0.34) in the overall trial population (Stages IB-IIIA). A median DFS of nearly five and a half years (65.8 months) was seen in both the primary and overall populations treated with TAGRISSO, compared to 21.9 and 28.1 months in the primary and overall populations, respectively, treated with placebo.

While up to 30% of all patients with NSCLC may be diagnosed early enough to have surgery with curative intent, recurrence is still common in early-stage disease.^1,2 Historically, approximately half of patients diagnosed in Stages I-II, and three quarters of patients diagnosed in Stage III, have experienced recurrence within five years of resection.^3,4

Results from an additional, prespecified exploratory analysis showed TAGRISSO reduced the risk of central nervous system (CNS) disease recurrence by 76% in patients with Stage II-IIIA disease (HR: 0.24; 95% CI 0.14-0.42). At four years, 90% of patients in the TAGRISSO arm were disease-free in the brain and spinal cord (95% CI 85-94%) compared to 75% of patients in the placebo arm (95% CI 67-81%). CNS disease recurrence refers to the spread of tumors to the brain or spinal cord, a frequent complication of EGFRm NSCLC associated with an especially poor prognosis.

Masahiro Tsuboi, MD, PhD, Chief and Director, Department of Thoracic Surgery & Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan, and principal investigator in the ADAURA trial, said: “The updated ADAURA results show us that adjuvant osimertinib not only continues to strikingly prolong the time patients with early-stage EGFR-mutated lung cancer are living cancer-free after surgery, but also continues to reduce the risk of tumors recurring in the central nervous system over time. These results reinforce adjuvant osimertinib as a standard-of-care treatment for these early-stage lung cancer patients who previously had no targeted treatment options after surgery, and who otherwise face high rates of disease recurrence.”

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca said: “It is remarkable that just two years ago, patients with early-stage EGFR-mutated lung cancer had no targeted treatment options after surgery. Now, around the world, patients have access to TAGRISSO and its added benefit of protecting the brain and spinal cord. We look forward to mature overall survival results for ADAURA in due time, but our research and commitment to early-stage lung cancer patients continue through our broader TAGRISSO program, which is investigating a prolonged duration of post-surgery treatment and the potential role of adjuvant TAGRISSO in even earlier stages of disease.”

Summary of efficacy resultsⁱ:

The safety and tolerability of TAGRISSO in this trial were consistent with its established profile. No new safety concerns were reported with an extended treatment duration. Adverse events at Grade 3 or higher from all causes occurred in 23% of patients in the TAGRISSO arm versus 14% in the placebo arm.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

• There are no contraindications for TAGRISSO
• Interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis occurred in 3.7% of the 1479 TAGRISSO-treated patients; 0.3% of cases were fatal. Withhold TAGRISSO and promptly investigate for ILD in patients who present with worsening of respiratory symptoms which may be indicative of ILD (eg, dyspnea, cough and fever). Permanently discontinue TAGRISSO if ILD is confirmed
• Heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation occurred in TAGRISSO-treated patients. Of the 1479 TAGRISSO-treated patients in clinical trials, 0.8% were found to have a QTc >500 msec, and 3.1% of patients had an increase from baseline QTc >60 msec. No QTc-related arrhythmias were reported. Conduct periodic monitoring with ECGs and electrolytes in patients with congenital long QTc syndrome, congestive heart failure, electrolyte abnormalities, or those who are taking medications known to prolong the QTc interval. Permanently discontinue TAGRISSO in patients who develop QTc interval prolongation with signs/symptoms of life-threatening arrhythmia
• Cardiomyopathy occurred in 3% of the 1479 TAGRISSO-treated patients; 0.1% of cardiomyopathy cases were fatal. A decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥10% from baseline and to <50% LVEF occurred in 3.2% of 1233 patients who had baseline and at least one follow-up LVEF assessment. In the ADAURA study, 1.5% (5/325) of TAGRISSO-treated patients experienced LVEF decreases ≥10% from baseline and a drop to <50%. Conduct cardiac monitoring, including assessment of LVEF at baseline and during treatment, in patients with cardiac risk factors. Assess LVEF in patients who develop relevant cardiac signs or symptoms during treatment. For symptomatic congestive heart failure, permanently discontinue TAGRISSO
• Keratitis was reported in 0.7% of 1479 patients treated with TAGRISSO in clinical trials. Promptly refer patients with signs and symptoms suggestive of keratitis (such as eye inflammation, lacrimation, light sensitivity, blurred vision, eye pain and/or red eye) to an ophthalmologist
• Postmarketing cases consistent with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and erythema multiforme major (EMM) have been reported in patients receiving TAGRISSO. Withhold TAGRISSO if SJS or EMM is suspected and permanently discontinue if confirmed
• Postmarketing cases of cutaneous vasculitis including leukocytoclastic vasculitis, urticarial vasculitis, and IgA vasculitis have been reported in patients receiving TAGRISSO. Withhold TAGRISSO if cutaneous vasculitis is suspected, evaluate for systemic involvement, and consider dermatology consultation. If no other etiology can be identified, consider permanent discontinuation of TAGRISSO based on severity
• Verify pregnancy status of females of reproductive potential prior to initiating TAGRISSO. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with TAGRISSO and for 6 weeks after the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception for 4 months after the final dose
• Most common (≥20%) adverse reactions, including laboratory abnormalities, were leukopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, diarrhea, anemia, rash, musculoskeletal pain, nail toxicity, neutropenia, dry skin, stomatitis, fatigue, and cough

INDICATIONS

• TAGRISSO is indicated as adjuvant therapy after tumor resection in adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test
• TAGRISSO is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test
• TAGRISSO is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive NSCLC, as detected by an FDA-approved test, whose disease has progressed on or after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy

For additional information, please see the complete Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.

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CI, confidence interval; DFS, disease-free survival; EGFRm, epidermal growth factor receptor mutation positive; HR, hazard ratio; NE, not estimable; NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer; OS, overall survival; PFS, progression-free survival.

Notes

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, accounting for about one-fifth of all cancer deaths.⁵ Lung cancer is broadly split into NSCLC and small cell lung cancer, with 80-85% classified as NSCLC.⁶ The majority of all NSCLC patients are diagnosed with advanced disease while approximately 25-30% present with resectable disease at diagnosis.^1,2

Among patients with resectable tumors (Stage IB-IIIA), the majority of patients eventually develop recurrence despite complete tumor resection and adjuvant chemotherapy.³ In the absence of organized screening efforts, early-stage lung cancer diagnoses are often only made when the cancer is found on imaging for an unrelated condition.^7,8

Approximately 10-15% of NSCLC patients in the US and Europe, and 30-40% of patients in Asia have EGFRm NSCLC.^9-11 These patients are particularly sensitive to treatment with an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) which block the cell-signaling pathways that drive the growth of tumor cells.¹²

ADAURA

ADAURA is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, global Phase III trial in the adjuvant treatment of 682 patients with Stage IB, II, IIIA EGFRm NSCLC following complete tumor resection and, at physicians’ and patients’ discretion, adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were treated with TAGRISSO 80mg once-daily oral tablets or placebo for three years or until disease recurrence.

The trial enrolled in more than 200 centers across more than 20 countries, including the US, in Europe, South America, Asia and the Middle East. The primary endpoint was DFS in Stage II and IIIA patients and a key secondary endpoint was DFS in Stage IB, II and IIIA patients.

Though the primary data readout was originally anticipated in 2022, data from the trial were first reported early in 2020, following a recommendation from an Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) based on its determination of overwhelming efficacy. The trial is ongoing and will continue to assess the secondary endpoint of OS.

TAGRISSO^®

TAGRISSO (osimertinib) is a third-generation, irreversible EGFR-TKI with proven clinical activity in NSCLC, including against central nervous system metastases. TAGRISSO (40mg and 80mg once-daily oral tablets) has been used to treat approximately 575,000 patients across indications worldwide and AstraZeneca continues to explore TAGRISSO as a treatment for patients across multiple stages of EGFRm NSCLC.

In Phase III trials, TAGRISSO is being investigated in the neoadjuvant resectable setting (NeoADAURA), in the Stage IA2-IA3 adjuvant resectable setting (ADAURA2), in the Stage III locally advanced unresectable setting following chemoradiation therapy (LAURA), and in combination with chemotherapy in the advanced setting (FLAURA2). AstraZeneca is also researching ways to address tumor mechanisms of resistance through the SAVANNAH and ORCHARD Phase II trials, and the SAFFRON Phase III trial, which test TAGRISSO given concomitantly with savolitinib, an oral, potent and highly selective MET TKI, as well as other potential new medicines.

AstraZeneca in lung cancer

AstraZeneca is working to bring patients with lung cancer closer to cure through the detection and treatment of early-stage disease, while also pushing the boundaries of science to improve outcomes in the resistant and advanced settings. By defining new therapeutic targets and investigating innovative approaches, the Company aims to match medicines to the patients who can benefit most.

The Company’s comprehensive portfolio includes leading lung cancer medicines and the next wave of innovations including osimertinib; durvalumab and tremelimumab; fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki and datopotamab deruxtecan in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo; savolitinib in collaboration with HUTCHMED; as well as a pipeline of potential new medicines and combinations across diverse mechanisms of action.

AstraZeneca is a founding member of the Lung Ambition Alliance, a global coalition working to accelerate innovation and deliver meaningful improvements for people with lung cancer, including and beyond treatment.

AstraZeneca in oncology

AstraZeneca is leading a revolution in oncology with the ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form, following the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover, develop and deliver life-changing medicines to patients.

The Company’s focus is on some of the most challenging cancers. It is through persistent innovation that AstraZeneca has built one of the most diverse portfolios and pipelines in the industry, with the potential to catalyze changes in the practice of medicine and transform the patient experience.

AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer care and, one day, eliminate cancer as a cause of death.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.

References

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8. LUNGevity Foundation. Screening and Early Detection. Available at https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lung-cancer-101/screening-early-detection. Accessed August 2022.
9. Szumera-Ciećkiewicz A, et al. EGFR Mutation Testing on Cytological and Histological Samples in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Polish, Single Institution Study and Systematic Review of European Incidence. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2013:6;2800-12.
10. Keedy VL, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology Provisional Clinical Opinion: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation Testing for Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Considering First-Line EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy. J Clin Oncol. 2011:29;2121-27.
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12. Cross DA, et al. AZD9291, an Irreversible EGFR TKI, Overcomes T790M-Mediated Resistance to EGFR Inhibitors in Lung Cancer. Cancer Discov. 2014;4(9):1046-1061.

US-68403 Last Updated 9/22

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