AstraZeneca's Blockbuster Lung Cancer Drug Has a Huge Sales Boost Ahead

Oncologists' ability to treat a certain subset of early-stage lung cancer patients after they've had tumors removed is about to get a big improvement. On Friday, AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) released clinical trial results that show treatment with Tagrisso tablets reduced the risk of disease recurrence or death by 83% in the adjuvant setting.

The phase 3 Aduara trial enrolled people who had recently had epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) tumors removed from their lungs. The study wasn't supposed to wrap up for about two more years, but independent data monitors found unequivocal evidence of a benefit from the drug during a scheduled interim assessment. As is usually the case in such situations, the trial was halted early to give those study participants who had been receiving placebos a chance to try the real thing.

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