More than 60 presentations featuring 26 potential medicines across four key scientific platforms, including DNA Damage Response (DDR) and Immuno-Oncology (IO)
DNA Damage Response: an industry-leading portfolio
Three oral presentations will provide insight into AstraZeneca’s industry-leading DNA Damage Response (DDR) pipeline of potential medicines as both monotherapy and in combination:
- Phase I data evaluating the combination of first-in-class PARP inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib) and AKT inhibitor AZD5363 in germline BRCA and non-BRCA mutant advanced cancer patients (Abstract #CT1010)
- Early safety and efficacy data from a Phase Ib study of novel potential medicine AZD1775, a small molecule designed to inhibit the Wee1 kinase, which plays a critical role in the DNA damage repair that enables cell division (Abstract #CT013)
- Pre-clinical pharmacology of AZD0156, an ATM kinase inhibitor that detects DNA double strand breaks to enable downstream DNA repair and cell survival (Sunday 17 Apr - 14:15-16:15)
Andrew Mortlock, Vice President, Global Projects and Alliances, Oncology iMed at AstraZeneca said: “The data we will present at AACR underscore the scientific promise shown by our industry-leading DDR portfolio as well as the clinical potential of this pioneering approach to targeting tumour cells. With three new molecules now in the clinic and one on the market, we are following the science and exploring their potential in both monotherapy and in combination with other therapies.”
Immuno-Oncology: biomarkers, next-generation Immunotherapies, and combinations
AstraZeneca’s Immuno-Oncology research will feature prominently at AACR, including with new data from a comparative study of commonly used PD-L1 diagnostic tests in approximately 500 tumour biopsies (Abstract #LB-094; also included in the AACR media programme). AstraZeneca will also take part in a roundtable discussing the value of PD-L1 diagnostic testing - “The Blueprint Project: Harmonizing Companion Diagnostics across a Class of Targeted Therapies”, scheduled for Tuesday 19 April, 13.00 – 15.00 EST (Room 283, Morial Convention Center).
AstraZeneca will also provide updates on its exploration of biological targets beyond PD-L1 and CTLA-4, including MEDI1873, an agonist of the GITR receptor (Abstract #561) and MEDI9197, a TLR7/8 agonist (Abstract #1475), as well as the combination strategy of PD-L1/PD1 axis inhibition with several complementary mechanisms of action targeting NKG2A, OX40 and immTACs.
In addition, researchers at the congress will present the latest results from a Phase I/II trial of tremelimumab plus tumour ablation in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Abstract #2653).
David Berman, Senior Vice President, Head of Oncology Innovative Medicines, at MedImmune, said: “At AACR, we will present pre-clinical data and mechanistic characterisation that support our ongoing clinical trials exploring next-generation immuno-oncology targets and their combination with durvalumab. We will present a comparison of the different PD-L1 diagnostic assays to help advance the science for the field of PD1/L1 blockade. In addition, the activity of tremelimumab, a CTLA4 inhibitor, will be further evidenced.”
Tumour drivers and resistance: a key area of expertise
AstraZeneca will also present data on Tagrisso (osimertinib), exploring the utilisation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) xenograft models from patients on Tagrisso to refine therapeutic strategies (Abstract #5192). Tagrisso recently received accelerated approval as the first indicated treatment for patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive metastatic NSCLC in the US, EU and Japan.
The company will also showcase its continued progress in therapies targeting the genetic drivers of cancer with breaking data on an early-stage mTOR inhibitor that has shown pre-clinical activity in prostate cancer. Specific posters include:
- Anti-tumour activity of mTOR inhibitor AZD2014 in a prostate cancer mouse model (Abstract #2147)
- Overcoming mTOR resistance mutations with a next-generation mTOR inhibitor (Abstract #389)
About AstraZeneca in Oncology
AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a quickly growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform patients’ lives and the Company’s future. With at least 6 new medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020 and a broad pipeline of small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to advance New Oncology as one of AstraZeneca’s six Growth Platforms focused on lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments that accelerate the delivery of our strategy, as illustrated by our investment in Acerta Pharma in haematology.
By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms -- immuno-oncology, the genetic drivers of cancer and resistance, DNA damage response and antibody drug conjugates -- and by championing the development of personalised combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three main therapy areas - respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune disease (RIA), cardiovascular and metabolic disease (CVMD) and oncology – as well as infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information please visit: www.astrazeneca.com
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