On April 13, 2020 BeiGene, Ltd. (NASDAQ: BGNE; HKEX: 06160), a commercial-stage biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing innovative molecularly-targeted and immuno-oncology drugs for the treatment of cancer, reported that the Phase 3 trial evaluating its anti-PD-1 antibody tislelizumab in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) met its primary endpoint, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy alone at the planned interim analysis, as assessed by independent review committee (IRC) (Press release, BeiGene, APR 13, 2020, View Source [SID1234556298]). The safety profile of tislelizumab in combination with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy was consistent with the known risks of each study treatment, and no new safety signals were identified.
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"We are excited to announce the positive outcome in the interim analysis of this Phase 3 study of tislelizumab in first-line non-squamous NSCLC, following the positive interim analysis in first-line squamous NSCLC earlier this year," said Yong (Ben) Ben, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Immuno-Oncology at BeiGene. "These results add to our growing body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy and safety of tislelizumab for the treatment of advanced cancers. We look forward to continuing to evaluate tislelizumab in more than 25 studies, including 15 potentially registration-enabling trials."
BeiGene plans to discuss its plans for filing a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for tislelizumab as a first-line treatment for non-squamous NSCLC with the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) at the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China and present detailed data at upcoming medical conferences.
This trial (NCT03663205, known as BGB-A317-304) is a Phase 3, open-label, multi-center, randomized trial investigating tislelizumab (200mg every three weeks) combined with pemetrexed and investigator’s choice of platinum (either carboplatin or cisplatin) versus pemetrexed and platinum alone in patients with previously untreated stage IIIB or stage IV non-squamous NSCLC and with no EGFR mutations or ALK translocations. The primary endpoint is PFS as assessed by IRC. Key secondary endpoints included overall survival and safety. The study began enrollment in July 2018, and 334 patients were randomized 2:1 to receive tislelizumab in combination with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone.
"NSCLC is a debilitating disease that comprises approximately 85 percent of lung cancer cases globally. It is estimated that approximately 60 percent of lung cancer diagnoses are made when the disease is in advanced stages and patients need more treatment options. The positive outcome at interim analysis for tislelizumab in this study and in other clinical trials, including for first-line squamous NSCLC, demonstrate that it is a promising option for people living with this advanced cancer," said Shun Lu, M.D., Professor at Shanghai Chest Hospital, Jiao Tong University and lead investigator for the trial.
About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
In contrast to most Western countries where lung cancer death rates are decreasing, the lung cancer incidence rate is still increasing in China.1,2 In 2018, there were approximately 770,000 new cases of lung cancer in China and it is the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women, with approximately 690,500 deaths.3 Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprises the most common form of lung cancer in China.4
About Tislelizumab
Tislelizumab (BGB-A317) is a humanized IgG4 anti–PD-1 monoclonal antibody specifically designed to minimize binding to FcγR on macrophages. In pre-clinical studies, binding to FcγR on macrophages has been shown to compromise the anti-tumor activity of PD-1 antibodies through activation of antibody-dependent macrophage-mediated killing of T effector cells. Tislelizumab is the first drug from BeiGene’s immuno-oncology biologics program and is being developed as a monotherapy and in combination with other therapies for the treatment of a broad array of both solid tumor and hematologic cancers.
Tislelizumab is approved by the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) as a treatment for patients with classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma who received at least two prior therapies and for patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) with PD-L1 high expression whose disease progressed during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Currently, 15 potentially registration-enabling clinical trials are being conducted in China and globally, including 11 Phase 3 trials and four pivotal Phase 2 trials.
Tislelizumab is not approved for use outside of China and is not approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer.