Bayer's Stivarga improved OS in previously-treated liver cancer patients

Ahead of a formal presentation, German pharma major Bayer (BAYN: DE) released results from the Phase III RESORCE trial show that Stivarga (regorafenib) achieved a median overall survival (OS) improvement in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who progressed after treatment with Nexavar (sorafenib) tablets.

The study, which will be presented during the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) 18th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer (WCGC) in Barcelona, Spain, found that patients taking Stivarga had a median overall survival of 10.6 months versus 7.8 months for placebo plus best supportive care (HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.50-0.78; p).

"The global incidence of liver cancer continues to increase and has more than tripled in the United States over the last three decades, and currently there are no proven or approved systemic second-line treatment options for patients with advanced HCC," said Dr Jordi Bruix, BCLC Group, Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, Spain, adding: "The improvement in overall survival seen with regorafenib in the RESORCE study signals the addition of a potential option in this treatment setting."