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Osimertinib Pill Could Cut Risk Of Lung Cancer Death By Half, New Global Study Suggests

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A breakthrough drug could potentially cut the risk of death by one of the most aggressive forms of cancer by half, according to fresh research.

Cancer researchers at Yale University found that taking a drug called Osimertinib once a day could reduce the risk of lung cancer patients dying by 51%, which is a huge step in the treatment of the deadly strain. The results stem from a decade-long global study.

Speaking at an event in Chicago this week, leading figure of the study and deputy director of Yale Cancer Centre Roy Herbst described the results as “thrilling”.

Lung cancer is one of the most fatal forms of cancer, resulting in 1.8 million deaths per year across the world. It often doesn’t show early-stage symptoms, meaning a diagnosis can be easily missed.

Even if a patient has a tumour removed or undergoes chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate is currently only around 25%.

“Thirty years ago, there was nothing we could do for these patients. Now we have this potent drug,” Herbst said presenting the new study.

“Fifty percent is a big deal in any disease, but certainly in a disease like lung cancer, which has typically been very resistant to therapies”.

The trial looked at patients with a mutation of the EGFR gene, which appears in a quarter of global lung cases. Patients, between 30 and 86 from 26 countries in the US and Europe, were treated to see whether Osimertinib could target non-small cell lung cancer, which is the most common type.

Over the course of five years, 88 percent of patients who took the drug were still alive compared with 78 percent of people who were taking a placebo.

What do you make of this breakthrough?

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Sam is a journalist, artist and writer based in Malta. Send her pictures of hands or need-to-know stories on politics or art on [email protected].

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