AstraZeneca receives positive recommendations for lung cancer treatments

NICE endorses Imfinzi and Tagrisso for enhanced lung cancer care

AstraZeneca has received two positive recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for its lung cancer treatments, Imfinzi and Tagrisso, benefiting patients across England and Wales.

Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with etoposide plus either carboplatin or cisplatin has been endorsed for adults with untreated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The NICE decision is based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial, showing significant overall survival benefits.

Dr Meenali Chitnis, Consultant Thoracic Medical Oncologist at Oxford University, said, “Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer is a devastating diagnosis with a poor prognosis. Positive data from the CASPIAN trial provides clinicians with an effective treatment option.”

Tagrisso (osimertinib) is recommended as an adjuvant treatment after complete tumour resection in adults with stage IB-IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with specific genetic mutations.

This decision follows the ADAURA phase 3 trial, which demonstrated a meaningful improvement in overall survival.

Tom Keith-Roach, President of AstraZeneca UK, commented, “This is fantastic news for lung cancer patients. These NICE decisions represent another step towards our bold ambition to eliminate cancer as a cause of death.”

The UK faces high lung cancer mortality, with 21% of cancer deaths attributed to lung cancer.

Approximately 50,000 people are diagnosed annually, many at an advanced stage.

The recommendations for Imfinzi and Tagrisso are expected to improve outcomes for these patients, offering new hope in the battle against this aggressive disease.