AstraZeneca and Merck announced positive results from the Phase III POLO trial. Results showed a statistically-significant and clinically-meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) with Lynparza (olaparib) vs. placebo. The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza was consistent with previous trials.

POLO is a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial exploring the efficacy of Lynparza tablets as 1st-line maintenance monotherapy in patients with germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (pancreatic cancer) whose disease has not progressed on platinum-based chemotherapy.

José Baselga, Executive Vice President, Research and Development, Oncology, said: “This is the first positive Phase III trial of any PARP inhibitor in germline BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer, a devastating disease with critical unmet need. The results of POLO provide further evidence of the clinical benefit of Lynparza across a variety of BRCA-mutated tumour types. We will discuss these results with global health authorities as soon as possible.”

Roy Baynes, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Development, Chief Medical Officer, MSD Research Laboratories, said: “Trials like POLO demonstrate the shared commitment of MSD and AstraZeneca to assess treatments for difficult-to-treat cancers. The clinically-meaningful results of this trial potentially support the value of testing for germline BRCA mutations in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.”

AstraZeneca and MSD plan to present the full data from the trial at a forthcoming medical meeting.