AstraZeneca is driving forward its mission to transform cancer care, showcasing groundbreaking data on lung, gastrointestinal (GI), and breast cancers at the ESMO Asia Congress 2024. With a sharp focus on improving cancer outcomes across Asia — including the Philippines, where cancer is a leading cause of death — AstraZeneca reinforces its commitment to providing innovative therapies tailored to the region’s most critical healthcare challenges. Notably, Asia accounts for 58% of global cancer deaths, with lung, breast, colorectal, and liver cancers being the primary causes of mortality in the Philippines.
Ti Hwei How, Vice President of International Oncology at AstraZeneca, expressed enthusiasm about the recent breakthroughs unveiled at ESMO Asia 2024: “The data presented highlight significant progress in precision oncology and targeted therapies. These advancements offer new hope for patients across Asia, where the burden of cancer is immense. We remain dedicated to making these innovative treatments accessible to those who need them.”
Dr. Arthur Lui, a Medical Oncologist at Metro Davao Medical Research Center, emphasized the urgency of innovation in cancer care: “There is an overwhelming need for effective treatments, especially for aggressive cancers. The promising findings at ESMO Asia 2024 signal a potential paradigm shift, offering new strategies to tackle challenging cancers and significantly improve patient outcomes.”
Key Advances in Oncology Platforms
Highlights from the congress showcased AstraZeneca’s cutting-edge developments in antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) and immuno-oncology (IO) platforms. These advancements exemplify the company’s holistic approach to combating cancers such as lung, gastrointestinal (GI), and breast cancers, aiming to deliver transformative results for patients.
Advancing Cancer Care in Asia and the Philippines
The epidemiology of lung cancer varies globally, influenced by factors like smoking, pollution, and genetic mutations. In Asia, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are more prevalent, particularly among female patients in the Philippines. The TROPION-Lung05 Phase II and TROPION-Lung01 Phase III trials demonstrated that datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), a TROP2-directed DXd ADC co-developed with Daiichi Sankyo, yielded clinically meaningful and durable responses, representing a pivotal advance in lung cancer treatment.
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the Philippines and across Asia, accounting for 39% of global cases and showing rising incidences. New data from the TROPION-Breast01 Phase III trial highlighted that Dato-DXd significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rates, and time to first subsequent therapy, offering a much-needed breakthrough for metastatic breast cancer patients.
GI cancers also pose a considerable health challenge in Asia, where incidence and mortality rates are among the highest globally. In the Philippines, colorectal and gastric cancers rank among the deadliest. Findings from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial revealed that the STRIDE regimen (tremelimumab plus durvalumab) achieved a robust five-year overall survival (OS) rate in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), underscoring the importance of targeted therapies in the region.
Through groundbreaking research and a commitment to addressing Asia’s unique cancer care needs, AstraZeneca continues to lead the way in transforming outcomes for patients in the Philippines and beyond.
AstraZeneca is redefining cancer care with a commitment to transforming outcomes at every stage, from early detection and personalized treatments to advanced-stage therapies. Central to this mission is the development of next-generation innovations, including advanced antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), to address the most challenging cancers.
Early detection remains a cornerstone in the fight against cancer, and AstraZeneca is actively advancing efforts to improve cancer screening in the Philippines and across Asia. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the company aims to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of screenings, particularly in resource-limited settings. A notable initiative in the Philippines is the recent rollout of an AI-assisted program in partnership with Healthway Hospitals, designed to aid in the early detection of lung cancer.¹¹
Beyond research and development, AstraZeneca prioritizes accessibility, ensuring that patients, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, can benefit from the latest advancements in cancer care. Through its collaboration with Healthway Medical Network, AstraZeneca Philippines has strengthened the availability of medicines for cancer treatment and management.¹² By working closely with governments and healthcare providers, the company is fostering partnerships that aim to create a healthier future for all.
AstraZeneca: A Leader in Oncology Innovation
With a bold vision to eliminate cancer as a cause of death, AstraZeneca is at the forefront of oncology research and innovation. By following the science to understand cancer in all its complexities, the company has built one of the industry’s most diverse portfolios and pipelines. This dedication to persistent innovation is driving transformative changes in medical practice and reshaping the patient experience.
AstraZeneca’s commitment to revolutionizing cancer care underpins its ambition to redefine what is possible, creating life-changing medicines and empowering a future where cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease.
Collaborating to Advance Cancer Care
Partnerships within the scientific community are essential to driving better patient outcomes. AstraZeneca has joined forces with Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited to develop and commercialize two groundbreaking antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs): Enhertu and datopotamab deruxtecan.
