AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN) its drug Imfinzi plus chemotherapy reduced the risk of death by 20% in people with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC).
The results emerged from the Anglo-Swedish giant’s TOPAZ-1 phase III clinical trial with the data expected to be showcased on January 21 at a conference hosted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Worldwide, 210,000 people are diagnosed with BTC each year with between 5%-15% surviving more than five years.
Study lead, Professor Do-Youn Oh, from Seoul National University Hospital, said: "After minimal progress for more than a decade in advanced biliary tract cancer, the TOPAZ-1 results are a tremendous advance for our patients, showing a clear survival benefit for Imfinzi added to chemotherapy compared to standard of care with a remarkable safety profile.
“This combination will provide a desperately needed and potentially practice-changing new treatment option in a setting where the current prognosis is devastating."