WCLC 2024: Ivonescimab Outperforms Pembrolizumab in NSCLC Trial

At the IASLC 2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer, Akeso presented significant findings from a Phase III trial comparing ivonescimab to pembrolizumab for first-line treatment of PD-L1 positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trial demonstrated that ivonescimab achieved a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 11.15 months, significantly outperforming pembrolizumab's 5.82 months. The hazard ratio (HR) for progression-free survival was 0.51, indicating a 49% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death. The study also highlighted ivonescimab's efficacy across various subgroups, including a PFS HR of 0.48 in squamous NSCLC and 0.54 in non-squamous NSCLC. In patients with PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) of 50% or higher, the PFS HR was even more favorable at 0.46. The overall response rate (ORR) for ivonescimab was 50%, compared to 38.5% for pembrolizumab, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 89.9% versus 70.5%. Following these promising results, Akeso's partner, Summit, plans to initiate the HARMONi-7 trial in early 2025, focusing on high PD-L1 advanced NSCLC. The findings from the HARMONi-2 study not only met the primary endpoint of progression-free survival but also support the potential of ivonescimab as a cornerstone in cancer immunotherapy. The data presented reinforces the need for innovative treatments in oncology, particularly for patients with unmet medical needs. The ongoing development of ivonescimab across multiple cancer indications reflects a commitment to improving patient outcomes through advanced therapeutic options.