[Reporter’s View]Encouraging healthy competition in NSCLC

Although it might be frustrating for those competing against each other, healthy competition often leads to beneficial results on the whole.

 

This is the case for the EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer treatments, Yuhan Corp’s Leclaza (lasertinib) and AstraZeneca’s ‘Tagrisso (osimiertinib).’ Both drugs are third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, and are currently used as first- and second-line treatment in the field.

 

The two are same-generation drugs that own the same indications.

 

Both have proven their effect in terms of brain metastasis, efficacy, and safety, which are important factors in treating cancer patients.

 

Yuhan Corp and AstraZeneca, which developed the two drugs, have continued to engage in competition with combination therapies using their respective drugs.

 

At the 2023 European Society for Oncology (ESMO) Congress that was held last month, results of Janssen’s main MARIPOSA study that evaluated the combined use of Janssen’s ‘Rybrevant (amivantamab)’ and Leclaza were disclosed.

 

Results showed that Leclaza+Rybrevant improved the primary efficacy endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS).

 

A favorable trend was also observed in overall survival (OS), the secondary endpoint.

 

Also, results of the FLAURA2 study showed that Tagrisso extended PFS by pulling forward the use of platinum-based chemotherapy, which is currently used as a second-line treatment for EGFR-positive NSCLC.

 

Due to the high interest in the 2 treatments, the results for the combination therapies received great attention, raising discussions on which treatment was more effective .

 

The competition further intensified in Korea after Yuhan Corp announced that it would provide Leclaza for free until the drug was reimbursed.

 

Although there was concern that AstraZeneca may object to the measure, the company did not, referring to how it would benefit patients.

 

The movements to extend the patient's survival through the use of combination therapies, offering free treatment to patients, and not raising objections as the other company’s programs will benefit the patient, are all efforts on the companies’ part to put patients first.

 

This deserves applause.

 

Yuhan Corp and AstraZeneca are both separately in pricing negotiations with the National Health Insurance Service to receive reimbursement for Leclaza and Tagrisso as a first-line treatment for EGFRm NSCLC.

 

It is difficult to say which treatment is superior.

 

Ultimately, both drugs would need to be reimbursed if the patients and HCPs are to receive equal benefits in terms of choice.

 

The cost of a single cycle of the two drugs when prescribed without reimbursement exceeds KRW 5 million.

 

So it is this reporter’s wish that the two treatments will be approved for reimbursement so as to reduce the financial burden borne by patients with NSCLC.

 

In this sense, we support the healthy competition between the two companies that can produce beneficial results for the patients.