Alecensa (alectinib) superior to Xalkori (crizotinib) for treatment of ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer-Genentech/Roche

Genentech announced that the global, randomized Phase III ALEX study met its primary endpoint and showed that Alecensa (alectinib) as an initial (first-line) treatment significantly reduced the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival, PFS) compared to Xalkori (crizotinib) in people with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This is the second Phase III trial to show that Alecensa was superior as an initial treatment compared to crizotinib in this type of lung cancer. The safety profile of Alecensa was consistent with that observed in previous studies, with no new or unexpected adverse events.

Full data from the ALEX study will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and submitted to global health authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which in September 2016 granted Alecensa Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for the treatment of people with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC who have not received prior treatment with an ALK inhibitor. Alecensa was granted accelerated approval by the FDA in December 2015 for the treatment of people with ALK-positive NSCLC who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib. The ALEX study is part of the company’s commitment to convert the current accelerated approval of Alecensa in people with ALK-positive, metastatic NSCLC who have progressed on or are intolerant to crizotinib to a full approval as an initial treatment. ALK-positive NSCLC is a distinct form of lung cancer commonly diagnosed in younger people (median age 52). Approximately 54 percent of cases are found in women. ALK-positive NSCLC is also generally found in those with a light or non-smoking history.