AstraZeneca’s olaparib tablets as a maintenance therapy for patients with relapsed ovarian cancer

AstraZeneca’s olaparib tablets as a maintenance therapy for patients with relapsed ovarian cancer

March 15, 2017 Off By Dino Mustafić

AstraZeneca’s trial treating relapsed ovarian cancer patients with olaparib met its primary endpoint, the company said Tuesday.

AstraZeneca presented results from the Phase III SOLO-2 trial demonstrating a significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCA), platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer patients treated with Lynparza (olaparib) tablets (300mg twice daily) compared with placebo in the maintenance setting.

PFS as measured by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) evaluation, a pre-specified analysis supporting the primary endpoint, demonstrated a median PFS of 30.2 months vs 5.5 months for placebo, representing an improvement of 24.7 months (HR 0.25; 95% CI 0.18-0.35; P<0.0001), AZ said.

Furthermore, a statistically-significant benefit in time to second progression or death (PFS2) was also seen in patients treated with Lynparza (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.72; P=0.0002; median not reached vs 18.4 months) compared with placebo, as well as improvements in other key secondary endpoints.

Eric Pujade-Lauraine, Head of the Women Cancers and Clinical Research Department at Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre, said that the results are very encouraging, as they build upon previous trials examining Lynparza in platinum-sensitive relapsed BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer.

“Most importantly, patients were able to maintain quality of life while experiencing an impressive delay in disease progression, demonstrating the benefits of Lynparza tablets for these women whose cancer is often difficult to treat,” says Pujade-Lauriane.

Sean Bohen, Chief Medical Officer at AstraZeneca, said the results from SOLO2 were pleasing, as they support the potential benefit of Lynparza tablets as a maintenance therapy for patients with relapsed ovarian cancer.

“The tablet formulation may offer patients a reduced pill burden for Lynparza and a safety profile that is generally consistent with previous trials. We will work with regulatory authorities to make Lynparza tablets available to patients as quickly as possible,” said Bohen.