A recent study has revealed that a combination therapy developed by Astellas and Pfizer, featuring Padcev alongside Keytruda from Merck, has significantly reduced the risk of death in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). This breakthrough was announced on Saturday, highlighting a promising advancement in treatment options for this challenging condition.
The late-stage clinical trial focused on patients who were either ineligible for or chose not to receive chemotherapy with the widely used drug, cisplatin. Participants in the trial received the combination therapy both before and after surgical intervention. The results demonstrated a remarkable improvement in event-free survival, which measures the duration a patient remains free from disease recurrence and complications.
Specifically, the combination therapy led to a 60% reduction in the risk of tumor recurrence, progression, or death when compared to surgery alone. Furthermore, the therapy also resulted in a notable 50% decrease in the risk of death among participants. This substantial reduction in mortality risk marks a significant step forward for patients who often face limited treatment avenues and poor prognoses, according to Jeff Legos, Chief Oncology Officer at Pfizer.
Data from the study indicated that approximately 74.7% of patients who underwent the combination treatment remained event-free at the two-year mark. In contrast, only 39.4% of those who received surgery alone achieved the same outcome. These findings underscore the potential effectiveness of the combination therapy in improving patient outcomes.
Bladder cancer ranks as the ninth most prevalent cancer globally, with muscle-invasive bladder cancer accounting for around 30% of all bladder cancer diagnoses. This particular cancer type invades the muscle layer of the bladder wall, making effective treatment critical.
Keytruda functions by enhancing the body”s immune response against cancer cells by inhibiting a protein known as PD-1. On the other hand, Padcev is an antibody-drug conjugate that specifically targets cancer cells while sparing healthy cells from damage.
Currently, the combination of these therapies is not yet approved for administration before and after surgery in patients with MIBC who cannot receive cisplatin. However, Astellas and Pfizer plan to engage with global health authorities regarding potential regulatory submissions to facilitate its use.
