• 59% of these patients treated with TAGRISSO plus chemotherapy had complete brain tumor responses in FLAURA2 Phase III trial

WILMINGTON, Del. / Oct 21, 2023 / Business Wire / Results from a prespecified exploratory analysis of the FLAURA2 Phase III trial showed AstraZeneca’s TAGRISSO^® (osimertinib) with the addition of chemotherapy demonstrated a 42% improvement in central nervous system (CNS) progression-free survival (PFS), compared to TAGRISSO alone for patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and brain metastases at baseline, representing 40% of patients in the trial, as assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR).

These results were presented today in an oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress in Madrid, Spain (abstract #LBA68).

In this group of patients, TAGRISSO with the addition of chemotherapy reduced the risk of CNS disease progression or death by 42% compared to TAGRISSO alone (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-1.01) as assessed by BICR. With two years of follow-up, 74% of patients treated with TAGRISSO plus chemotherapy had not experienced CNS disease progression or death versus 54% of patients treated with TAGRISSO monotherapy. Results also showed a higher proportion of patients demonstrated CNS complete response (CR) with TAGRISSO plus chemotherapy (59%) versus TAGRISSO alone (43%).

David Planchard, MD, PhD, thoracic oncologist at Gustave Roussy Institute of Oncology and principal investigator for the trial, said: “Osimertinib has a proven ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer and central nervous system metastases, who often face a poorer prognosis than patients whose disease has not spread to the brain. In FLAURA2, the addition of chemotherapy to osimertinib led to a complete response and the disappearance of these tumors in the brain, in more than half of these patients.”

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “In this trial, patients with brain metastases at baseline saw a meaningful benefit with the FLAURA2 regimen, offering hope for patients whose cancer has spread to the brain. These data build on the recent positive progression-free survival results from FLAURA2, further reinforcing TAGRISSO as the backbone therapy in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.”

The safety profile of TAGRISSO with the addition of chemotherapy was generally manageable and consistent with the established profiles of the individual medicines. Adverse event (AEs) rates were higher in the TAGRISSO plus chemotherapy arm, driven by well-characterised chemotherapy-related AEs. TAGRISSO discontinuation rates were low in both arms of the trial (11% for the TAGRISSO plus chemotherapy arm and 6% for the monotherapy arm).

In the TAGRISSO plus chemotherapy arm, patients remained on TAGRISSO for a median duration of 22.3 months, while patients had a median exposure to platinum-based chemotherapy of 2.8 months and a median exposure to pemetrexed of 8.3 months.

Summary of results: FLAURA2 CNS efficacyⁱ

Earlier this month, TAGRISSO with the addition of chemotherapy was granted Priority Review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the 1st-line treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFRm NSCLC based on positive PFS data from the FLAURA2 Phase III trial recently presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer. In August 2023, TAGRISSO with the addition of chemotherapy also received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA in this setting.

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 occurs 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
• Aplastic anemia has been reported in patients treated with TAGRISSO in clinical trials (0.07% of 1479) and post marketing. Some cases had a fatal outcome. Inform patients of the signs and symptoms of aplastic anemia including but not limited to, new or persistent fevers, bruising, bleeding, and pallor. If aplastic anemia is suspected, withhold TAGRISSO and obtain a hematology consultation. If aplastic anemia is confirmed, permanently discontinue TAGRISSO. Perform complete blood count with differential before starting TAGRISSO, periodically throughout treatment, and more frequently if indicated
• 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

Please see complete Prescription Information, including Patient Information for TAGRISSO.

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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.¹ Lung cancer is broadly split into NSCLC and small cell lung cancer.² The majority of all NSCLC patients are diagnosed with advanced disease.³

Patients with EGFRm NSCLC are particularly sensitive to treatment with an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) which blocks the cell-signaling pathways that drive the growth of tumour cells.⁴

FLAURA2

FLAURA2 is a randomized, open-label, multi-center, global Phase III trial in the 1st-line treatment of patients with locally advanced (Stage IIIB-IIIC) or metastatic (Stage IV) EGFRm NSCLC. Patients were treated with TAGRISSO 80mg once daily oral tablets in combination with chemotherapy (pemetrexed (500mg/m2) plus cisplatin (75mg/m2) or carboplatin (AUC5) every three weeks for four cycles, followed by TAGRISSO with pemetrexed maintenance every three weeks.

​The trial enrolled 557 patients in more than 150 centers across more than 20 countries, including in the US, Europe, South America and Asia. The primary endpoint is PFS. 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 CNS metastasis. TAGRISSO (40mg and 80mg once-daily oral tablets) has been used to treat nearly 700,000 patients across its indications worldwide and AstraZeneca continues to explore TAGRISSO as a treatment for patients across multiple stages of EGFRm NSCLC.

​There is an extensive body of evidence supporting the use of TAGRISSO in EGFRm NSCLC. TAGRISSO is the only targeted therapy to improve survival in both early-stage disease in the ADAURA Phase III trial and late-stage disease in the FLAURA Phase III trial.

​AstraZeneca also has several ongoing Phase III trials focused on earlier stages of lung cancer, including a trial in the Stage IA2-IA3 adjuvant resectable setting (ADAURA2), in the neoadjuvant setting (NeoADAURA), and in the Stage III locally advanced unresectable setting (LAURA).

​The Company 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 plus 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 TAGRISSO and gefitinib; durvalumab and tremelimumab-actl; 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. Please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com and follow us on social media @AstraZeneca.

References

1. World Health Organisation. International Agency for Research on Cancer. Lung Fact Sheet. Available at https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/cancers/15-Lung-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed October 2023.
2. ​LUNGevity Foundation. Types of Lung Cancer. Available at https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lung-cancer-101/types-of-lung-cancer. Accessed October 2023.
3. ​Cancer.Net. Lung Cancer - Non-Small Cell: Statistics. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lung-cancer-non-small-cell/statistics. Accessed October 2023.
4. ​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.