On October 9, 2018 Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) reported that new results from a number of studies across its industry leading oncology portfolio of approved and investigational medicines will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress, taking place from 19-23 October, in Munich, Germany (Press release, Hoffmann-La Roche, OCT 9, 2018, View Source [SID1234529810]). These data include positive Phase III results from Roche’s cancer immunotherapy development programme across multiple tumour types, positive Alecensa (alectinib) data from the Phase III ALESIA study and new pivotal data for entrectinib, a tumour-agnostic investigational medicine that targets NTRK gene fusion-positive solid tumours.

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"We look forward to presenting the first positive Phase III study of a cancer immunotherapy combination in breast cancer, which showed encouraging results for Tecentriq plus nab-paclitaxel in people with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, specifically in the PD-L1-positive population," said Sandra Horning, MD, Roche’s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "We will also share new data from our pivotal analysis of entrectinib for people with NTRK gene fusion-positive solid tumours, an example of our continued commitment to developing next-generation personalised treatments."

An audio webcast for analysts and investors to discuss key data presented on the Roche Group’s oncology portfolio and pipeline during the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress in Munich, will be held on Monday 22 October 2018 from 6:00 – 7:15 pm CEST. Further details are available here.

Follow Roche on Twitter via @Roche and keep up to date with ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018 Congress news and updates by using the hashtag #ESMO18.

Key Presentations
Breast cancer:
Primary results will be presented from the positive, Phase III, randomised IMpassion130 study investigating Tecentriq (atezolizumab) plus chemotherapy (Abraxane [albumin-bound paclitaxel; nab-paclitaxel]) as an initial (first-line) treatment for people with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive type of the disease which currently has limited treatment options. Abstract LBA1_PR (Presidential Symposium 1) Saturday, 20 October, 16:30 -16:45 CEST: Hall A2 – Room 18

As reported earlier this year by Roche, the combination of Tecentriq plus chemotherapy (nab-paclitaxel) significantly reduced the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival, PFS) in the intention-to-treat and the PD-L1-positive populations, and showed an encouraging overall survival (OS) improvement at this interim analysis in people whose disease expresses the PD-L1 protein, a subgroup determined by PD-L1 biomarker testing.

Data from the IMpassion130 study will also be featured as part of ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper)’s press programme on Saturday, 20 October.

Tumour-agnostic:
Pivotal data from the positive Phase II STARTRK-2, Phase I STARTRK-1 and Phase I ALKA trials will be presented on entrectinib (RXDX-101) for the treatment of people with NTRK gene fusion-positive solid tumours. Abstract LBA17 (oral) – Sunday, 21 October, 11:24 – 11:36 CEST: Hall B3 – Room 22

Molecular profiling and next-generation sequencing will play a critical role in identifying people most likely to benefit from entrectinib. Roche is combining comprehensive genomic profiling with precision medicines, like entrectinib, in order to offer patients more personalised healthcare solutions.

Entrectinib has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Priority Medicines (PRIME) designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA); and Sakigake Designation by the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the treatment of NTRK gene fusion-positive, locally advanced or metastatic solid tumours in adult and paediatric patients who have either progressed following prior therapies or have no acceptable standard therapies.

Lung cancer:
Key data to be presented at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) cover advances from Roche’s lung cancer programme, including a combination approach using the cancer immunotherapy Tecentriq with targeted therapies and a range of different chemotherapies.

OS and PFS data will be presented for the first time from the positive Phase III IMpower130 study, a multicentre, open-label, randomised study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Tecentriq in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel) versus chemotherapy (carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel) alone for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Abstract LBA53 (oral) – Monday, 22 October, 09:15 – 09:30 CEST: Hall A1 – Room 17

PFS data will also be presented for the first time from the positive Phase III ALESIA study, a randomised, multicentre, open-label study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Alecensa versus crizotinib in Asian patients with treatment-naive anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive advanced NSCLC. Abstract LBA10 (Presidential Symposium 3) – Monday, 22 October, 17:30-17:45 CEST: Hall A2 – Room 18

Liver cancer:
Updated data will be presented from a Phase Ib study assessing the safety and clinical activity of the combination of Tecentriq and Avastin as treatment for patients with unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options and a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Earlier this summer the US FDA granted BTD for Tecentriq in combination with Avastin as an initial (first-line) treatment for people with advanced or metastatic HCC. Data at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) include longer follow-up and data from patients with hepatitis B virus, a major driver of the disease. Abstract LBA26 (oral) – Sunday, 21 October, 11:54 – 12:09 CEST: Hall A1 – Room17

Overview of key data featuring Roche medicines at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2018

About Roche in Oncology
Roche has been working to transform cancer care for more than 50 years, bringing the first specifically designed anti-cancer chemotherapy drug, fluorouracil, to patients in 1962. Roche’s commitment to developing innovative medicines and diagnostics for cancers remains steadfast.

The Roche Group’s portfolio of innovative cancer medicines includes: Alecensa (alectinib); Avastin (bevacizumab); Cotellic (cobimetinib); Erivedge (vismodegib); Gazyva/Gazyvaro (obinutuzumab); Herceptin (trastuzumab); Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine); MabThera/Rituxan (rituximab); Perjeta (pertuzumab); Tarceva (erlotinib); Tecentriq (atezolizumab); Venclexta/Venclyxto (venetoclax); Xeloda (capecitabine); Zelboraf (vemurafenib). Furthermore, the Roche Group has a robust investigational oncology pipeline focusing on new therapeutic targets and novel combination strategies