JNJ's Lung Cancer Combo Shows Reduced Side Effects and Improved Survival Rates

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has announced promising new clinical results from its Phase 2b COPERNICUS study evaluating subcutaneous RYBREVANT FASPRO combined with LAZCLUZE in patients with previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring common EGFR mutations.

The trial involved 214 U.S. patients receiving the combination alongside prophylactic measures to mitigate blood clots and skin-related side effects. At a median follow-up of 8.3 months, key treatment-related side effects remained low, with only 8% of participants discontinuing treatment due to adverse events.

The findings show that the combination had a lower numerical event rate than the intravenous regimen tested in the Phase 3 MARIPOSA study. Specifically, skin rash occurred in 25% of patients, while administration-related reactions and venous thromboembolism each affected 3%. No patients discontinued due to administration-related reactions.

Separately, Johnson & Johnson shared final overall survival results from the Phase 3 PAPILLON study. The study evaluated intravenous RYBREVANT plus chemotherapy against chemotherapy alone for advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations. Patients on the combination regimen achieved a median overall survival of 34.3 months, compared to 27.9 months for chemotherapy alone.