New York: Pfizer is actively promoting awareness and testing for a rare lung cancer mutation, BRAF V600E, to increase the use of its drug Braftovi. The company aims for Braftovi to become the standard treatment for this specific mutation. On Saturday, Pfizer presented three-year follow-up data from a Phase 2 study on patients with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. These patients received a combination of Braftovi and another Pfizer drug, Mektovi, as their initial treatment. The study revealed a median progression-free survival of over two and a half years, indicating how long patients lived without their cancer worsening.
Chris Boshoff, Pfizer’s Chief Oncology Officer, emphasized that the new data supports Braftovi as the standard of care for this patient group. He projected market penetration of up to 60% among lung cancer patients with the mutation. Boshoff explained that approximately 2% to 3% of lung cancer cases involve this specific mutation.
Currently, the standard treatment for such patients involves immunotherapy paired with chemotherapy. However, the combination of Braftovi and Mektovi has been approved for use in patients with non-small cell lung cancer carrying the mutation since last year. “All patients with lung cancer should be tested for BRAF mutations, and that could be done with a simple blood test,” Boshoff stated. “It’s a relatively easy test to identify these patients who clearly would benefit significantly from having a targeted therapy.”
Also Read | India to Install 100 Radars, Set Up Cloud Chamber for Advanced Weather Studies
Despite this recommendation, fewer than 50% of lung cancer patients in the U.S. are currently tested for the BRAF mutation, with even lower testing rates globally. Boshoff noted, “This is a space where Pfizer is particularly well equipped, not just in the US, but globally, to encourage testing and to help educate physicians, pathologists, patients, and patient advocate groups.” He added that the test is covered by insurance in the U.S.
Also Read | Congo Court Sentences Three U.S. Nationals to Death in Failed Coup Case
Last year, Pfizer generated nearly $400 million in sales from Braftovi and Mektovi. However, analysts are not currently predicting substantial growth for these drugs, according to LSEG data.
Boshoff highlighted a potential area for market expansion in colorectal cancer, where BRAF-mutated cancers account for 10% of cases. Pfizer expects to announce data from its late-stage study on colorectal cancer by the end of the year.
