AZ and MSD impress at ASCO with Lynparza combo data in prostate cancer

In another major ASCO reveal, AstraZeneca and partner MSD lifted the curtain at the event on new data for its poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib) in combination with J&J’s standard-of-care drug Zytiga (abiraterone) in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

The Phase 2 data showed that the combination was able to improve median radiologic progression-free survival (rPFS) in patients with previously-treated mCRPC by 13.8 months compared to just 8.2 months for Zytiga alone, meeting the trial’s primary endpoint. Median time to second progression or death stood at 23.3 months versus 18.5 months for Zytiga alone, while median overall survival was 22.7 months versus 20.9 months.

Lynparza has so far been approved in the treatment of specific subtypes of ovarian cancer and breast cancer, but this new data will no doubt help AZ and MSD push to secure an FDA approval in prostate cancer.

"A previous trial demonstrated improvements in response rates with olaparibmonotherapy in metastatic castration-resistant patients with HRR mutations," commented Sean Bohen, Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Chief Medical Officer at AstraZeneca, on release of the data. "The Study 08 combination data suggests that, regardless of their mutation status, men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer may potentially benefit from olaparib in combination with abiraterone."

Roy Baynes, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development, Chief Medical Officer at MSD, added: "There is a significant unmet medical need for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer as they are a high-risk group with limited treatment options. Olaparib is the first PARP inhibitor to demonstrate activity in combination with standard-of-care treatment in prostate cancer. These data from Study 08 represent another important milestone in the clinical development of olaparib."

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