lung cancer : AstraZeneca shares fall 5% on disappointing AstraZeneca shares experienced their largest single-day decline in seven months following the release of disappointing results from a lung cancer drug trial.
The data revealed that the experimental drug failed to significantly enhance overall survival rates for patients.
The company’s experimental drug, datopotamab deruxtecan did not significantly improve overall survival rates for patients, as revealed by the data published on Monday.
The Covid-19 vaccine maker was among the lowest performers on the FTSE 100 and contributed to a broader downturn in the healthcare sector. By 11:00 a.m. London time, AstraZeneca’s shares were down 4.8%.
The results from the TROPION-Lung01 Phase III trial indicated that the overall survival rate with the new drug “did not reach statistical significance,” according to the company. This late-stage trial tested the Dato-DXd drug against the chemotherapy treatment docetaxel in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had relapsed after one or two prior treatments.
Susan Galbraith, AstraZeneca’s executive vice president of oncology R&D, noted that while the results did not meet statistical significance, they did show clinically meaningful trends toward improving survival rates for patients with advanced lung cancer.
The trial outcomes have been closely watched by investors who hoped the drug could follow in the footsteps of the company’s successful Covid-19 vaccine.
Earlier trials in July 2023 had also disappointed investors, despite showing some success in slowing cancer progression.
The drug developed in collaboration with Japan’s Daiichi Sankyo, is currently awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with a decision expected in December.
Lung cancer :
This genetic damage causes the affected cells to proliferate uncontrollably, leading to tumor formation. Without intervention these tumors can spread throughout the lung, impairing lung function.
Early-stage lung cancer is often treated with surgery to remove the tumor sometimes followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy to target any remaining cancer cells. For more advanced stages treatment involves radiation therapy and chemotherapy along with targeted drug therapies specific to the cancer subtype. Despite treatment, the five-year survival rate is only around 20%.
Survival rates improve for those diagnosed at an earlier stage those who are younger and women compared to men.
The incidence and outcomes of lung cancer vary significantly worldwide, largely depending on tobacco use patterns. Before the widespread use of cigarettes in the 20th century lung cancer was relatively uncommon. In the 1950s and 1960s, accumulating evidence established a link between lung cancer and tobacco use leading major health organizations to issue warnings against smoking.
