AZ’s Lynparza improves survival and maintains quality of life against ovarian cancer
pharmafile | June 2, 2017 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development | AstraZeneca, lynparza
New Phase 3 trial data has found that AstraZeneca’s Lynparza (olaparib) provides sustained quality of life (QoL) and improved progression-free survival (PFS) as the dug met its primary endpoint in a study into its effectiveness against germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm), platinum-sensitive, relapsed serious ovarian cancer.
Patients participating in the study reported a comparable QoL to those given placebo, as monitored via three scales measuring functional, physical health and symptoms. In the study, median PFS stood at 30.2 months compared to 5.5 for placebo, as measured by a Blinded Independent Central Review evaluation. Additionally, significant quality-adjusted progression-free survival was shown to be 13.5 months, compared to 7.2 for the placebo group, while Lynparza also brings down the standard pill burden of ovarian cancer patients from 16 capsules to four tablets per day.
“The olaparib quality of life data further support the potential benefit of this first-in-class PARP inhibitor as maintenance therapy for women with BRCA-mutated relapsed serous ovarian cancer,” commented AZ Chief Medical Officer Sean Bohen. “They strengthen our confidence in targeting DNA damage response (DDR) mechanisms to selectively kill cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy tissue which may cause adverse effects that impact negatively on quality of life for patients.”
Eric Pujade-Lauraine, Head of the Women Cancers and Clinical Research Department at Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, site Hôtel-Dieu, AP-HP and Principal Investigator of SOLO-2, also noted: “This is very good news for patients because it suggests that olaparib not only has the potential to significantly prolong the amount of time they have before their disease progresses, but that additional time does not come at the cost of their quality of life. This may mean patients feel more able to adhere to maintenance treatment. This contrasts with what we have seen in the past with chemotherapy where the price of longer progression-free survival is often reduced quality of life leading to poor adherence to treatment.”
Matt Fellows
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