AstraZeneca ovarian cancer drug trial shows 'significant improvement'

AstraZeneca said results from the phase 3 trial of its ovarian cancer treatment Lynparza had demonstrated a “significant improvement in progression-free survival” (PFS).

The SOLO-2 trial of patients taking 300 milligrams twice a day met its primary endpoint of investigator assessed progression free survival.

Eric Pujade-Lauraine, Head of the women cancers and clinical research department at Hôpitaux Universitaires Paris Centre and principal investigator of SOLO-2, said: "Today's 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."

PFS as measured by blinded independent central review 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.

Additionally, a statistically-significant benefit in time to second progression or death was also seen in patients treated with Lynparza compared with placebo, as well as improvements in other key secondary endpoints.