Summary
A lung cancer drug is offering new hope for long-term survival. Pfizer shared seven-year results from a trial of Lorbrena (lorlatinib). The results show the longest cancer-free time ever reported for advanced lung cancer.
The trial, called CROWN, tested Lorbrena in people with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This type makes up about 3 to 5 out of every 100 lung cancer cases. All patients had advanced cancer and had not had treatment before.
After seven years, 55% of patients on Lorbrena stayed alive with no cancer growth. Only 3% of patients on the older drug, Xalkori, reached that mark. Doctors also found that Lorbrena cut the risk of cancer spreading to the brain by 94%. In fact, no new brain spread happened after the first 30 months.
Pfizer built this drug to cross into the brain and fight tumors there. It also targets mutations that make other drugs stop working. Patients take it as one pill each day.
Like all medicines, Lorbrena can cause side effects. Common ones include swelling, weight gain, and mood or thinking changes. Doctors watch patients closely and adjust the dose when needed.
One trial leader called these results “remarkable.” He said they change what patients can expect from treatment. This lung cancer drug gives people with ALK-positive NSCLC real reason for hope.
