The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency has issued a positive opinion recommending the extension of the indication for Tagrisso (osimertinib) in the European Union. This decision supports the use of Tagrisso for patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring EGFR mutations, specifically exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R mutations, whose disease has not progressed during or following chemotherapy.
The positive opinion is grounded in initial findings from an ongoing Phase III clinical trial involving 216 participants. These results demonstrated a clinically meaningful benefit of Tagrisso in this patient population, warranting the CHMP's recommendation for approval.
Tagrisso, developed by AstraZeneca, is an oral, targeted therapy designed to inhibit the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR mutations are present in approximately 10-15% of NSCLC cases in Caucasian populations and 30-40% in Asian populations. These mutations drive tumor growth and proliferation, making EGFR a key therapeutic target.
The drug is already approved in approximately 100 markets, including the United States, Europe, China, and Japan, as a first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC. This new recommendation expands the potential use of Tagrisso to a broader patient population, addressing an unmet need in individuals who have progressed on prior chemotherapy regimens.
The incidence of lung cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with NSCLC accounting for the majority of cases. The identification of specific genetic drivers, such as EGFR mutations, has led to the development of targeted therapies like Tagrisso, improving outcomes for patients with these specific tumor subtypes. The CHMP's positive opinion represents a step forward in providing additional treatment options for individuals with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
