AstraZeneca reported that its immunotherapy medicine, Imfinzi® (durvalumab), together with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) versus BCG alone in patients with high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). This is a historic milestone in the treatment of early-stage bladder cancer.
Phase III POTOMAC Trials Results
The Phase III POTOMAC trial evaluated the effectiveness of Imfinzi in combination with BCG therapy compared to BCG therapy alone in patients with high-risk NMIBC. The trial achieved its primary endpoint and demonstrated that patients receiving the combination had a statistically significant improvement in DFS.
Specifically, patients who were treated with Imfinzi plus BCG lived significantly longer without recurrence at high risk or disease progression after one year of treatment compared with patients treated with BCG alone. The safety and tolerability profile of combination was in line with what was observed with previous studies, and no new safety signals were seen.
The positive results for Imfinzi in the POTOMAC trial represent a significant advance that will potentially allow more patients with early-stage bladder cancer to benefit from this important immunotherapy. Building on the NIAGARA data, this outcome demonstrates our strategy of bringing novel therapies to patients with early-stage disease where there is the greatest potential for long-term benefit.
Cristian Massacesi
Imfinzi® (Durvalumab)
Imfinzi is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1, blocking the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 and CD80, thereby enhancing the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy cancer cells. It is approved for the treatment of various cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer and biliary tract cancer, and is being investigated across multiple tumor types and stages of disease.
Graduated from the University of Kerala with B.Sc. Botany and Biotechnology. Attained Post-Graduation in Biotechnology from the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Science (KUFOS) with the third rank. Conducted various seminars and attended major Science conferences. Done 6 months of internship in ICMR – National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad. 5 years of tutoring experience.
