Roche's PD-L1 Inhibitor Tecentriq Meets Primary Endpoint in Phase III Trial for Early-Stage NSCLC

On March 22, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced that its PD-L1 antibody Tecentriq (atezolizumab) met the primary endpoint in a Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In patients with Stage II–IIIA NSCLC, Tecentriq significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS), defined as the period of survival without disease recurrence, compared with best supportive care (BSC). The press release noted that this is the first time a Phase 3 clinical trial has demonstrated that cancer immunotherapy improves DFS compared with BSC in patients with early-stage resectable lung cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for 80–85% of all lung cancer cases. Today, approximately half of patients with early-stage lung cancer experience recurrence even after surgical resection of the tumor. Early intervention before the spread of lung cancer may help prevent recurrence and offer the best chance for a cure.

Tecentriq is an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1 protein on the surface of tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. It not only blocks the interaction between PD-L1 and the PD-1 receptor but also prevents PD-L1 from binding to the B7.1 receptor. By inhibiting PD-L1, Tecentriq activates T cells of the human immune system to attack tumor cells. In the United States, Tecentriq has been approved for five indications. In China, Tecentriq (atezolizumab; brand name: Tecentriq) has been approved in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, and in combination with bevacizumab for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

In the randomized, multicenter, open-label Phase 3 IMpower010 clinical trial, patients with stage IB–IIIA NSCLC who underwent surgical resection and received cisplatin-based therapy were randomized to receive either Tecentriq or best supportive care. The trial results demonstrated that Tecentriq, as adjuvant therapy following surgery and chemotherapy, significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with stage II–IIIA NSCLC, with the magnitude of DFS benefit being particularly pronounced in the PD-L1-positive population.

Note: The original text has been abridged.

References:

[1] Pivotal Phase III Study Shows Genentech’s TecentriqHelped People With Early Lung Cancer Live Longer Without Their DiseaseReturning. Retrieved March 22, 2021, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210321005036/en

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