Setback to AstraZeneca: Imfinzi fails as monotherapy for non-small lung cancer

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "With PEARL, we set out to answer important scientific questions in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer at a time when patient selection for immune checkpoint inhibitors was still evolving. We are encouraged to see patients in the metastatic setting at a higher level of PD-L1 tumour expression demonstrate the most benefit with Imfinzi monotherapy treatment, as is commonly seen in this class. We remain steadfast in our dedication to developing new and improved medicines and regimens for patients with lung cancer across our diverse portfolio."

"The safety and tolerability profile for Imfinzi was broadly consistent with the known profile of the medicine, and no new safety signals were identified. The data will be shared in due course," the company stated.

Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer globally, with more than two million patients diagnosed in 2020. Lung cancer is broadly split into NSCLC and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), with 80-85% classified as NSCLC. Within NSCLC, patients are classified as squamous, representing 25-30% of patients, or non-squamous, representing approximately 70-75% of patients.