AstraZeneca's Lynparza shows positive results in pancreatic cancer trial

26th Feb 2019 09:29

(Sharecast News) - AstraZeneca has reported positive results from a phase 3 trial of the Lynparza drug, which met the primary endpoint in a study for metastatic pancreatic cancer.The trial explored the efficacy of Lynparza tablets as first-line maintenance monotherapy in patients with germline BRCA-mutated pancreatic cancer, whose diseases has not progressed on platinum-based chemotherapy.The pharmaceuticals giant, which is developing and commercialising the drug with US-based Merck & Co, said the trial showed a "statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful" improvement in progression-free survival with Lynparza versus placebo.Meanwhile, the safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza was consistent with previous trials.Jose Baselga, head of oncology research, said: "This is the first positive phase III trial of any PARP inhibitor in germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer, a devastating disease with critical unmet need."The results of POLO provide further evidence of the clinical benefit of Lynparza across a variety of BRCA-mutated tumour types. We will discuss these results with global health authorities as soon as possible."Germline BRCA-mutated pancreatic cancer accounts for 5% to 7% of all cases globally and is the fourth leading cause of cancer death, with less than 7% of patients surviving more than five years after diagnosis.At 10120 GMT, the shares were down 1.2% to 6,212p.