UK drug firm makes lung cancer breakthrough

Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer among men and women

ASTRAZENECA says a drug it is trialling has been shown to reduce the risk of death in patients with advanced lung cancer.

Shares in the FTSE 100 firm rose 8.5% after it announced success in testing of its immunotherapy drug, known as durvalumab but also by the brand name Imfinzi, saying it had halted progression in stage 3 patients taking part in the study.

The drug has already been approved in the US for use by advanced bladder cancer patients and Astra said it was talking to regulators about licensing submissions for lung cancer treatment.

Lung cancer is the world’s biggest cancer killer in both men and women – accounting for a third of fatalities.

Current treatments remain reliant on chemotherapy alongside targeted radiation therapy.

Astra said Imfinzi works by helping the body’s immune cells kill cancer. The full results of the trial, taking place across 26 countries, are due in the summer.

Its chief medical officer, Sean Bohen, said: “These are highly encouraging results for patients with locally advanced lung cancer for whom surgery is not an option.

“We look forward to working with regulatory authorities around the world to bring Imfinzi to lung cancer patients as soon as possible.”