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ENHERTU shows promise in breast cancer with brain metastases

Published 14/09/2024, 12:10 am
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WILMINGTON, Del. - AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Daiichi Sankyo's ENHERTU (fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki) has demonstrated a significant progression-free survival (PFS) rate in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who have brain metastases. The data from the DESTINY-Breast12 Phase IIIb/IV trial, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO24), showed a 12-month PFS rate of 61.6% in this patient cohort.


The trial included patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer who had either active or stable brain metastases and had received no more than two prior lines of therapy in the metastatic setting. The findings indicated a 12-month central nervous system (CNS) PFS rate of 58.9%, with consistent results in both stable and active brain metastases subgroups.


According to Nancy Lin, MD, Associate Chief, Division of Breast Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and principal investigator for the trial, up to fifty percent of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer experience brain metastases during their illness, significantly impacting quality of life and outcomes. The results from DESTINY-Breast12 are expected to help guide treatment decisions for this challenging condition.


The safety profile of ENHERTU in the trial was consistent with previous studies, showing no new safety concerns. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis occurred in a portion of patients, with the majority of events being low grade.


ENHERTU, a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, is currently approved in over 65 countries for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer following a prior anti-HER2-based regimen.


The comprehensive global clinical development program for ENHERTU continues to evaluate its efficacy and safety across multiple HER2-targetable cancers, both as monotherapy and in combination with other treatments. This collaboration between AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo aims to advance cancer care with a focus on difficult-to-treat conditions.


The results of the DESTINY-Breast12 trial provide hope for patients with breast cancer that has spread to the brain, offering a potential new therapeutic option for a population with few effective treatments. The data from this trial are based on a press release statement and further studies are anticipated to confirm these findings.


In other recent news, AstraZeneca has been the subject of several analyst reviews and major developments. Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) has downgraded AstraZeneca stock from Hold to Sell, citing concerns over the company's TROP2 asset datopotamab. Despite this, BMO Capital, Erste Group, TD Cowen, and BofA Securities have maintained positive outlooks on AstraZeneca shares, driven by the company's strong financial structure and above-average growth projection.


The pharmaceutical giant, in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo, reported a trend toward improved overall survival in a Phase III trial for certain lung cancer patients using their drug datopotamab deruxtecan. AstraZeneca's IMFINZI also received FDA approval for treating adults with resectable early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, and gained Priority Review status for treating limited-stage small cell lung cancer.


In partnership with SOPHiA GENETICS, AstraZeneca plans to expand its liquid biopsy test MSK-ACCESS® to 20 global locations within the next year to enhance cancer diagnostics and treatment. Further, AstraZeneca secured €1.4 billion through a bond offering managed by notable financial institutions. These are just a few of the recent developments that highlight AstraZeneca's ongoing advancements in the pharmaceutical industry.


InvestingPro Insights


AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) has recently been in the spotlight due to promising clinical trial results for its cancer treatment, ENHERTU. As investors consider the potential impact of these findings on the company's financial health and stock performance, certain metrics and insights from InvestingPro are particularly noteworthy.


With a robust market capitalization of $242.62 billion, AstraZeneca stands out as a prominent player in the pharmaceutical industry, a status underscored by its sustained dividend payments for 32 consecutive years. This is indicative of the company's financial stability and commitment to shareholder returns, a reassuring sign for investors. Moreover, the company's revenue has shown a healthy growth of 10.45% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, reflecting its strong market position and effective business strategies.


Investors should note that AstraZeneca is trading at a high earnings multiple, with a P/E ratio of 37.33 and an adjusted P/E ratio of 26.4 for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This suggests that the market has high expectations for the company's future earnings potential, which may be further buoyed by the recent clinical success. Additionally, according to InvestingPro Tips, net income is expected to grow this year, and two analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, signaling confidence in the company's prospects.


For those seeking more tailored investment advice, InvestingPro offers a plethora of additional tips. Currently, there are 13 more InvestingPro Tips available for AstraZeneca, which can be accessed to gain deeper insights into the company's performance and potential investment opportunities.


As AstraZeneca continues to make strides in its clinical development program, investors will be closely monitoring the impact of these advancements on the company's financial outcomes and stock valuation. The InvestingPro platform remains a valuable resource for those looking to stay informed and make data-driven investment decisions.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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