Patient survival rates for early-stage lung cancer have improved significantly with the use of Tagrisso, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. According to updated results from the phase 3 ADAURA trial, patients with resected, early-stage EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who took adjuvant Tagrisso remained alive eight years after starting treatment.
The ADAURA trial, which enrolled 682 patients with completely resected stage IB, II, or IIIA EGFR-mutated NSCLC, found that Tagrisso reduced the risk of death by 47% compared to placebo in the primary population of stage II-IIIA disease. At a median follow-up of nearly eight years, 74% of patients treated with Tagrisso were alive, compared to 58% of those on placebo.
Eight-Year Survival Data
In a full study involving patients with stage IB-IIIA, Tagrisso demonstrated a 48% reduction in mortality risk. After eight years, 79% of those treated with Tagrisso were still alive, compared to 64% in the placebo group. This benefit was observed across various patient groups and disease stages, with 8-year survival rates of 91% vs. 77% for stage IB, 78% vs. 63% for stage II, and 70% vs. 52% for stage IIIA.
These findings come from an exploratory, post hoc analysis of survival data collected after the trial’s planned final analysis in 2023. Researchers noted that the survival estimates may be conservative, as roughly a quarter of surviving patients failed to follow up beyond that point and remained censored at their last known contact date.
Related Post: Breast cancer patients often uninformed about risk
Importance of EGFR Testing
According to Roy S. Herbst, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator of the ADAURA trial, “These ADAURA findings show patients continue to experience meaningful, long-term benefit following early intervention with adjuvant osimertinib… This is especially impressive given high rates of crossover to osimertinib following disease recurrence.” Herbst emphasized the importance of prioritizing EGFR testing at diagnosis to ensure that as many patients as possible can benefit from this transformative therapy.
The ADAURA update shows the importance of patient-clinician communication to ensure treatment adherence. A separate study revealed that discontinuing Tagrisso before completing the three-year course significantly increased the risk of recurrence or death, as presented at the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer. AstraZeneca emphasized the critical role of adherence support throughout the entire treatment period.
Tagrisso’s Long-Term Safety Profile
Additional data presented from the phase 3 FLAURA2 trial reinforced Tagrisso’s long-term safety profile when combined with chemotherapy in first-line advanced disease. An exploratory analysis showed similar benefit regardless of patients’ TP53 co-mutation status. Susan Galbraith, executive vice president of oncology hematology research and development at AstraZeneca, said, “ADAURA continues to set new benchmarks in early-stage EGFR-mutated lung cancer, with nearly 80% of patients treated with adjuvant Tagrisso alive at eight years.”
Tagrisso is now approved in over 120 countries, including the U.S., as a monotherapy for various stages of EGFR-mutated NSCLC. AstraZeneca positions it as a foundational treatment for this mutation, regardless of disease stage. The company’s focus on early treatment and establishing Tagrisso as the standard adjuvant care is expected to significantly impact lung cancer management.
