AstraZeneca says Imfinzi combo improved survival in carcinoma patients

AstraZeneca says positive results from the EMERALD-1 Phase III trial showed Imfinzi in combination with TACE and bevacizumab demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival compared to TACE alone in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma eligible for embolisation. In EMERALD-1, treatment with Imfinzi plus TACE and bevacizumab reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 23% compared to TACE alone. Median PFS was 15 months in patients treated with the Imfinzi combination versus 8.2 months with TACE. The PFS benefit observed was generally consistent across key prespecified subgroups, according to the company. The secondary endpoint of time to progression further supports the clinical benefit of Imfinzi plus TACE and bevacizumab in this setting, with a median TTP of 22 months versus 10 months for TACE, it added. The trial will continue as planned to assess the key secondary endpoint of overall survival.