Proactive Investors - AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN) has hailed the potential of a highly targeted combination of its own drugs with chemotherapy in the battle against endometrial cancer.
This followed the read-out from the DUO-E phase III trial, which demonstrated impressive outcomes.
It involved Imfinzi, coupled with platinum-based chemotherapy, followed by the use of Imfinzi either in combination with Lynparza or on its own.
The results showed a statistically significant and "clinically meaningful" boost in progression-free survival (PFS) rates compared to standard chemotherapy alone.
The trial, a first of its kind on a global scale, has shed light on the potential benefits of combining immunotherapy and PARP inhibition in the fight against endometrial cancer. PARP inhibition works by preventing cancer cells from repairing themselves, while immunotherapies use the body's own immune system to tackle disease.
While data on overall survival rates are yet to fully mature, promising trends have been observed for both treatment methods.
Endometrial cancer, the sixth most common cancer among women worldwide, claimed over 97,000 lives in 2020 alone. With diagnoses expected to surge by 40% by 2040, innovative treatment options such as these are greatly needed.
The results of the DUO-E trial are exciting news for the medical community, according to Shannon Westin, Professor of Gynaecologic Oncology at the University of Texas. She asserted that the combination of the AZ immunotherapy and PARP inhibitor could significantly delay disease progression and provide doctors with new methods to improve patient outcomes.
Echoing her sentiments, Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President of Oncology R&D at AZ, said: "These DUO-E data demonstrate for the first time the power of combining immunotherapy and a PARP inhibitor to provide meaningful clinical improvements for patients with endometrial cancer.
"These results underscore our ambition to redefine cancer care and we hope to bring this innovative Imfinzi and Lynparza combination to endometrial cancer patients as soon as possible."
The findings from the DUO-E trial are slated to be presented at an upcoming medical meeting, paving the way for further discussions with health authorities.