AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN)'s cancer drug used in combination with a common hormone therapy prolonged the life of end-stage prostate cancer treatments by eight months compared with the current treatment, according to the clinical trial’s lead investigator.
Lynparza (also known as olaparib) paired with abiraterone reduced the risk of disease progression by 34% versus the standard of care, which is abiraterone on its own.
The drugs were also well-tolerated, meaning patients were able to maintain their quality of life.
Data from the phase III PROpel study, carried out by Fred Saad and his team at the University of Montreal Hospital Center, will be presented to the American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium on Thursday (Feb 17).
Lead investigator Saad said: "It is clear to me that the prognosis for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is extremely poor, and many patients are only able to receive one line of effective therapy.
“The results of the PROpel trial, which showed that olaparib in combination with abiraterone significantly delayed disease progression versus abiraterone by more than eight months, demonstrate the potential for this combination to become a new standard of care option in mCRPC if approved."