Shubh Goel: AstraZeneca is riding the next wave of IO innovation at ESMO

Shubh Goel, VP and US Franchise Head, Immuno-Oncology and GI Tumors at AstraZeneca, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“This content is for US audiences only.

Following fast after WCLC24, AstraZeneca is riding the next wave of IO innovation at European Medical Society of Oncology (ESMO). We are changing the conversation about survival, building on our legacy of “firsts” across multiple tumor types:

NIAGARA Phase III trial in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC): Our perioperative IO treatment plus chemo reduced the risk of recurrence, progression or death by 32%. Patients also saw a 25% reduced risk of death. Nearly 68% of trial participants were event free at the 2-year mark. After two years, more than 82% of patients were still alive compared to chemo. Surpassing the standard of care chemotherapy, the NIAGARA regimen stands alone as the first perioperative approach to extend survival in MIBC.

Until this point, standard of care (SOC) surgery and chemo haven’t been enough for this patient community, with 50% experiencing disease recurrence even after surgery. NIAGARA gives us reason to believe that IO with chemo could provide a much-needed treatment pathway in bladder cancer. Learn more.

HIMALAYA Phase III trial in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC): Today’s announcement signified the longest survival follow-up from a Phase III trial for uHCC, with history-making results. Our STRIDE regimen reduced the risk of death by 24% compared to chemo. Nearly 20% of patients were still alive at the 5-year mark vs. 9.4% on chemo alone – doubling the overall survival rate in this patient population.

It’s an unprecedented milestone, delivering a dual-IO regimen with potential for 5-year survival, while also preserving liver function. We’ve set a new benchmark in a landscape where there are few effective treatment options. And we know how meaningful the 5-year milestone is for patients and their families facing every type of cancer, so today’s readout is even more cause for celebration. Read more.

The SOC in both MIBC and uHCC had been languishing for decades, until we went all-in to rewrite the future of cancer care. We’re attacking more tumor types from multiple angles, fundamentally challenging expectations and unlocking the potential of longer survival for thousands of patients with hard-to-treat cancers. From WCLC to ESMO, we’re transforming oncology to transform patient outcomes – one scientific discovery at a time.”

Source: Shubh Goel/LinkedIn