On October 19, 2018 AstraZeneca reported its new data on the mechanisms of acquired resistance from the Tagrisso (osimertinib) pivotal Phase III FLAURA trial during an oral late-breaker abstract session at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress (European Society of Medical Oncology) in Munich, Germany (Press release, AstraZeneca, OCT 19, 2018, View Source [SID1234529971]). MET-amplification and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) C797S mutation were among the most frequent resistance mechanisms observed after treatment with 1st-line Tagrisso in patients with previously-untreated EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who experienced disease progression during the trial period. As expected, there was no evidence of the acquired EGFR T790M mutation in the 1st-line Tagrisso arm.

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Based on those findings, AstraZeneca reported the initiation of a new clinical trial, Osimertinib Resistance CoHorts, Addressing 1L Relapse Drivers (ORCHARD), an open-label, multi-centre, multi-drug Phase II platform trial in patients with advanced NSCLC who have experienced disease progression following 1st-line therapy with Tagrisso.

Klaus Edvardsen, Senior Vice President, Head of Oncology, Global Medicines Development, said: "We are committed to following the science to improve survival for all patients with EGFR-mutation positive NSCLC at every stage of disease. The ORCHARD trial will increase our understanding of resistance mechanisms and explore potential new treatment options to address the next stage of disease after 1st-line Tagrisso."

Dr. Suresh S. Ramalingam, Principal Investigator of the FLAURA trial from Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, US, said: "The FLAURA trial ushered in a new standard of care with osimertinib as 1st-line therapy for EGFRm NSCLC. Today’s results provide direction for continued research into new treatment options after progression on 1st-line osimertinib therapy by studying MET-amplification and EGFR C797S, among other resistance mechanisms."

Results from the preliminary FLAURA subgroup analysis showed that following treatment with Tagrisso in the 1st-line setting, the most frequent acquired resistance mechanisms detected in patient plasma were MET-amplification (15%) and the EGFR C797S mutation (7%), followed by HER2-amplification and the PIK3CA and RAS mutations (2-7%). For the comparator EGFR-TKI arm, the most frequent acquired resistance mechanism to erlotinib or gefitinib was the EGFR T790M mutation (47%).

Data from the Phase III AURA3 trial, also presented at the congress, were consistent with the FLAURA findings. The most frequent mutations detected in patient plasma after progression with 2nd-line Tagrisso included EGFR C797 mutations (15%; C797S n=10; C797G n=1), MET-amplification (19%), HER2-amplification (5%) and the PIK3CA mutation (5%).

Tagrisso has now received approval in more than 40 countries for the 1st-line treatment of patients with metastatic EGFRm NSCLC, including the US, Japan and in the European Union. Other global health authority reviews and submissions of the 1st-line data are ongoing, including China, with a decision expected in the second half of 2019.

NOTES TO EDITORS
About EGFRm NSCLC

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, accounting for about one-fifth of all cancer deaths, more than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined. Lung cancer is broadly split into NSCLC and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), with 80-85% classified as NSCLC. Approximately 10-15% of NSCLC patients in the US and Europe, and 30-40% of patients in Asia have EGFRm NSCLC. These patients are particularly sensitive to treatment with EGFR-TKIs which block the cell-signalling pathways that drive the growth of tumour cells. Approximately 25% of patients with EGFRm NSCLC have brain metastases at diagnosis, increasing to approximately 40% within two years of diagnosis. The presence of brain metastases often reduces median survival to less than eight months.

About Tagrisso

Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a third-generation, irreversible EGFR-TKI designed to inhibit both EGFR-sensitising and EGFR T790M-resistance mutations, with clinical activity against central nervous system metastases. Tagrisso 40mg and 80mg once-daily oral tablets have now received approval in more than 40 countries, including the US, Japan and in Europe, for 1st-line EGFRm advanced NSCLC, and more than 80 countries, including the US, Japan, China and in Europe, for 2nd-line use in patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive advanced NSCLC. Tagrisso is also being developed in the adjuvant setting (ADAURA), in the locally-advanced unresectable setting (LAURA), and in combination with other treatments.

About the FLAURA trial

The FLAURA trial assessed the efficacy and safety of Tagrisso 80mg orally once daily vs. standard-of-care EGFR-TKIs (either erlotinib [150mg orally, once daily] or gefitinib [250mg orally, once daily]) in previously-untreated patients with locally-advanced or metastatic EGFRm NSCLC. The trial was double-blinded and randomised, with 556 patients across 29 countries.

About the ORCHARD trial

ORCHARD is an open-label, multicentre, multi-drug Phase II platform trial in patients with advanced EGFRm NSCLC whose disease has progressed on 1st-line therapy with Tagrisso. The initial trial is expected to have multiple treatment arms which will examine both targeted and non-targeted combination options and plans to recruit 150 patients. As learnings about acquired resistance to Tagrisso from FLAURA accumulate, as well as other trials, additional treatment arms may be added.

About AstraZeneca in Lung Cancer

AstraZeneca has a comprehensive portfolio of approved and potential new medicines in late-stage development for the treatment of lung cancer across all stages of disease and lines of therapy. We aim to address the unmet needs of patients with EGFRm NSCLC with our approved medicines, Iressa and Tagrisso, and with the Phase III ADAURA and LAURA trials.

Our Immuno-Oncology portfolio includes Imfinzi, an anti-PDL1 antibody, which is in development as monotherapy (ADJUVANT, PACIFIC2, MYSTIC and PEARL trials) and in combination with tremelimumab and/or chemotherapy (MYSTIC, NEPTUNE, POSEIDON and CASPIAN trials).

About AstraZeneca in Oncology

AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in oncology and offers a quickly-growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients’ lives and the Company’s future. With at least six new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020, and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to advance oncology as a key growth driver for AstraZeneca focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate the delivery of our strategy, as illustrated by our investment in Acerta Pharma in haematology.

By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology, Tumour Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response and Antibody Drug Conjugates – and by championing the development of precision combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death.