Experimental Novartis Cardiac Drug May Also Stop Lung Cancer

A Novartis Phase III study evaluating an anti-inflammatory drug for cardiac patients not only revealed a significant reduction in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, but also that the drug may prevent lung cancer.

The ACZ885 (canakinumab) CANTOS study showed a 15% reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in people with a prior heart attack and inflammatory atherosclerosis, and surprisingly also revealed a 77% reduction in lung cancer mortality and 67% reduction in lung cancer cases.

With more than 10,000 patients enrolled in the study over the last six years, CANTOS was one of the largest and longest-running clinical trials in Novartis' history.

Novartis plans to initiate a new Phase III trial based on its early lung cancer findings, while seeking seeking regulatory approval of ACZ885 in the cardiovascular setting.

Read the press release