Tagrisso shows sustained benefit in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer

AstraZeneca has presented new post-progression data from the global Phase III FLAURA trial at the European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC) in Geneva. The trial evaluated Tagrisso (osimertinib) as a first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The analysis demonstrated that the progression-free survival (PFS) benefit of first-line Tagrisso compared to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) erlotinib or gefitinib was sustained throughout post-progression outcomes. This benefit persisted through subsequent lines of therapy, nearly halving the risk of a second progression or death.

At the time of the data cut-off, fewer patients receiving first-line Tagrisso had discontinued treatment compared to those on the comparator arm. The median time to first subsequent therapy or death was significantly longer for patients treated with first-line Tagrisso.

The safety profile for Tagrisso in this first-line setting was consistent with previous clinical trials, with fewer Grade 3 or higher adverse events compared to standard EGFR-TKIs. Common adverse reactions included rash and diarrhea.