By Carlo Martuscelli 
 

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN.LN) said Tuesday that data showed its cancer treatment, Imfinzi, reduced the risk of death for patients by nearly a third compared with the standard of care.

The results come from its phase 3 Pacific trial, which examines the efficacy of the drug in treating stage 3 non-small cell, inoperable lung cancer. The drugmaker said the data shows Imfinzi significantly improved overall survival--one of the principle metrics being measured in the trial--reducing the risk of death by 32%.

Chief Medical Officer Sean Bohen said this is the first immunotherapy to demonstrate an overall survival benefits for cancer patients with the advanced stage disease.

Immunotherapy is a form of treatment that uses the body's own immune system to fight diseases.

On Monday, the European Commission granted AstraZeneca marketing authorization for Imfinzi. The drug is now approved in the U.S., EU, Canada, Switzerland, India, Japan, and Brazil.

Write to Carlo Martuscelli at carlo.martuscelli@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 25, 2018 08:49 ET (12:49 GMT)

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