health
A hotly debated lung cancer drug cut the risk of death by 34% in a late-stage trial in China
An experimental lung cancer drug from Akeso and Summit Therapeutics reduced the risk of death by 34% in a late-stage trial, according to data released Sunday.
TL;DR
- Ivonescimab, developed by Akeso and Summit Therapeutics, reduced the risk of death by 34% in a late-stage lung cancer trial in China.
- The drug, a bispecific antibody targeting PD-1 and VEGF, extended median survival by four months when combined with chemotherapy compared to standard treatment.
- Experts are cautiously optimistic but question the applicability of the China-specific trial results to global patient populations.
- Concerns exist about potential safety issues, particularly increased bleeding events, although the drug's safety is described as comparable to existing treatments.
- The success of ivonescimab could impact the market dominated by drugs like Merck's Keytruda, though many believe it won't fully replace current mainstays.