Roche's Tecentriq plus chemotherapy (carboplatin and Abraxane) as an initial treatment helped people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer live significantly longer compared to chemotherapy alone

In This Article:

  • The Phase III IMpower130 study investigating the Tecentriq plus chemotherapy combination demonstrated a significant overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) benefit

  • Data will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2018 Congress on 22 October 2018

Basel, 22 October 2018 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced positive results from the Phase III IMpower130 study of Tecentriq® (atezolizumab) plus chemotherapy (carboplatin and Abraxane® [albumin-bound paclitaxel; nab-paclitaxel]) for the initial (first-line) treatment of people with previously untreated metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The analysis showed that Tecentriq plus chemotherapy helped people live significantly longer compared to chemotherapy alone (median overall survival [OS] =18.6 versus 13.9 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.79; 95% CI: 0.64-0.98; p=0.033) in the intention-to-treat wild-type (ITT-WT) population.[1] The Tecentriq-based combination also significantly reduced the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival; PFS) compared to chemotherapy alone (median PFS=7.0 versus 5.5 months; HR=0.64; 95% CI: 0.54-0.77; p
"Initial treatment with this Tecentriq-based combination provided a significant survival benefit for people with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, the most common form of lung cancer," said Sandra Horning, MD, Roche`s Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "Lung cancer is a complex disease and this combination could offer a new potential treatment option. We will work with global health authorities to bring this regimen to people living with this disease as soon as possible."

The data will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2018 Congress on 22 October 2018, 09:15-09:30 am; Hall A1 - Room 17 (Abstract LBA53).

About the IMpower130 study
IMpower130 is a Phase III, multicentre, open-label, randomised study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Tecentriq in combination with carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel versus chemotherapy (carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel) alone for chemotherapy-naïve patients with stage IV non-squamous NSCLC. The study enrolled 723 people who were randomised (2:1) to receive:


· Tecentriq plus carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel (Arm A), or
· Carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel (Arm B, control arm)

During the treatment-induction phase, people in Arm A received Tecentriq and carboplatin on day 1 of each 21-day cycle, and nab-paclitaxel on days 1, 8 and 15 of each 21-day cycle for 4 or 6 cycles or until loss of clinical benefit, whichever occurs first. People received Tecentriq during the maintenance treatment phase until loss of clinical benefit was observed.

During the treatment-induction phase, people in Arm B received carboplatin on day 1 and nab-paclitaxel on days 1, 8 and 15 of each 21-day cycle for 4 or 6 cycles or until disease progression, whichever occurs first. People received best supportive care during the maintenance treatment phase. Switch maintenance to pemetrexed was also permitted. People who were consented prior to a protocol revision were given the option to crossover to receive Tecentriq as monotherapy until disease progression.

The co-primary endpoints were:
· PFS as determined by the investigator using RECIST v1.1 in the ITT-WT population
· OS in the ITT-WT population