Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor “Atezolizumab” Significantly Improves Progression Free Survival in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Compared with Chemotherapy in the IMpower150 Study

On November 21, 2017 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) reported atezolizumab and combination of chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression free survival (PFS), one of the co-primary endpoints of the phase III IMpower150 study, compared with combination of chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with stage IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, Chugai, NOV 21, 2017, View Source [SID1234522179]). The IMpower150 study was designed to evaluate atezolizumab with combination of chemotherapy (atezolizumab, carboplatin, paclitaxel and bevacizumab) compared to combination of chemotherapy (carboplatin, paclitaxel and bevacizumab) in the first line treatment patients with stage IV non-squamous NSCLC. Initial observations for another co-primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) analysis are encouraging. These data are not fully mature and the next OS analysis will be expected in the first half of 2018. The safety profile of atezolizumab and bevacizumab plus chemotherapy combination appeared consistent with the known safety profile of the individual medicines, and no new safety signals were identified with the combination. The data of the IMpower150 study will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Immuno Oncology Congress in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2017.

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

"Lung cancer is third most frequent cancer among Japanese1). High unmet medical needs exist especially in advanced non-squamous NSCLC. We are pleased that the combination of atezolizumab and chemotherapy demonstrated an improved PFS this segment compared to chemotherapy alone," said Dr. Yasushi Ito, Senior Vice President and Head of the Project Life Cycle Management Unit. "OS will be also investigated in future data analyses. We hope atezolizumab can further bring benefits to patients by showing improvement in OS."

About the IMpower150 Study
The global phase III, multi-center, open label, randomized controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of atezolizumab in combination of chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with stage IV non-squamous NSCLC.

The study’s co-primary endpoints include:
PFS in all randomized people without an ALK or EGFR genetic mutation (intent to treat wild type, ITT-WT) and T-effector gene signature, "Teff" selected sub group people. This analysis of the study’s endpoint of PFS was only statistically powered to demonstrate a comparison between Arm B versus Arm C.
OS in ITT-WT population
Study design
1,202 patients were randomized into Arm A to C groups in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive the following treatment regimens once every three weeks. Treatment with atezolizumab was continued as long as the principal investigator determined that the patient was receiving a clinical benefit or until an unacceptable adverse event was confirmed.
Arm A atezolizumab (1,200mg IV) + carboplatin (AUC 6) + paclitaxel (200mg/m2 IV)
Arm B atezolizumab (1,200mg IV) + carboplatin (AUC 6) + paclitaxel (200mg/m2 IV) + bevacizumab (15mg/kg IV)
Arm C carboplatin (AUC 6) + paclitaxel (200mg/m2 IV) + bevacizumab (15mg/kg IV)