ASCO 2014: latest news on lapatinib and trastuzumab, and ibrutinib

There was more important news on investigational oncology products presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) which began on Friday in Chicago, starting with disappointing news for a new combination therapy from UK GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) which was reported on Sunday morning.

GSK announced that the Phase III study of two anti-HER2 agents, lapatinib (Tykerb/Tyverb) and trastuzumab, did not meet the primary endpoint of improved disease free survival (DFS) compared to single agent therapy with trastuzumab as adjuvant treatment for HER2 positive early breast cancer. The safety profile was consistent with the established safety profile of the study drugs, with no new safety signals observed.

“While it is disappointing that ALTTO did not meet its primary endpoint, we now have a tremendous amount of information that will help to further our knowledge of the biology of this disease and inform future studies in HER2 positive breast cancer in the adjuvant setting. Further analysis of these data will continue over the coming months,” said Rafael Amado, senior vice president oncology R&D at GSK.