HQ Team
June 16, 2024: AstraZeneca’s mantle cell lymphoma combination rug, Calquence, reduced the risk of disease progression or death by up to 27%, according to a company statement.
Data from an investigational trial showed Calquence or acalabrutinib in combination with bendamustine and rituximab demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival.
The data, when compared to standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy, also showed a favourable trend in overall survival, according to the statement.
Mantle cell lymphoma is a rare B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that mostly affects men over the age of 60. It often starts as an indolent (slow-growing) disease but can become more aggressive (fast-growing) over time.
Mantle zone
The disease is called “mantle cell lymphoma” because the tumour cells originally come from the “mantle zone” of the lymph node (small bean-shaped structures that help the body fight disease).
In addition to being found in lymph nodes, the disease is often present in the spleen, gastrointestinal tract (digestive system, which includes the oesophagus, stomach, and intestines), bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside the bone), bloodstream, and other sites at the time of diagnosis.
Some patients do not have any symptoms. Other patients may develop swelling (a swollen lymph node; usually painless) in the neck, armpit, or groin area.
Median progression-free survival was 66.4 months for patients treated with AstraZeneca’s drug compared to 49.6 months with standard-of-care chemoimmunotherapy.
’16.8 months additional time’
The results will be presented on June 16 at the European Hematology Association 2024 Hybrid Congress in Madrid, Spain.
“The trial data demonstrate important progress in improving outcomes for patients with mantle cell lymphoma,” said Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca.
“The 16.8 months of additional time patients can live without their disease progressing is highly clinically meaningful, together with a trend to improvement in overall survival.
“We therefore believe Calquence plus chemoimmunotherapy will be an important new option for patients living with this disease,” she said.
