AstraZeneca (AZN) and HUTCHMED (NASDAQ: HCM) report survival gain after Tagrisso resistance
SAFFRON supports combining Tagrisso with Orpathys in a narrowly defined MET-driven lung-cancer population.
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AstraZeneca and HUTCHMED reported that Tagrisso combined with Orpathys improved outcomes in patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer and high MET expression or amplification following progression on Tagrisso. In SAFFRON, median overall survival was 17.8 months with the targeted combination and 12.9 months with the comparator regimen.
The hazard of death was reduced by 32%. Median progression-free survival was 7.6 months versus 5.4 months, with a 45% reduction in the hazard of progression or death.
The biomarker requirements are central to interpreting the opportunity. These results should not be extended to every patient whose disease progresses on Tagrisso; the study selected a specific resistance mechanism and stringent MET criteria.
For the partners, the readout strengthens the case for retaining targeted treatment after resistance develops. Commercial execution will depend partly on testing and identifying eligible patients. The result adds clinical evidence to the regulatory programme, rather than constituting a new approval in itself.