About lung cancer
- Over 1.35 million new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed
every year and nearly 1.2 million people die as a result of this
devastating disease - more than breast, colon and prostate cancer
combined(4).
- Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for around 85% of all ung
cancers(5).
- If lung cancer is detected at early stages, before it has
spread to other organs or lymph nodes, around half of patients can
survive for five years or more. However, few lung cancers are found at
this early stage and it is normally diagnosed at the advanced stage,
when five year survival falls to approximately 15%(6).
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of meaningful prescription medicines and supplier for healthcare services. AstraZeneca is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of US$ 31.6 billion and is a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infectious disease medicines. For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit: http://www.astrazeneca.com
The statements contained herein include forward-looking statements. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any forward-looking statements, by their very nature, involve risks and uncertainties and may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those predicted. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of the preparation of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, certain of which are beyond our control, include, among other things, those risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Report/Form 20-F for 2008. Nothing contained herein should be construed as a profit forecast.
Reference List
(1) Herbst, R. et al. Vandetanib plus docetaxel vs docetaxel as 2nd-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a randomized, double-blind phase III trial (ZODIAC). ABS 31495. ASCO. 2009.
(2) De Boer, R. et al. Vandetanib plus pemetrexed vs pemetrexed as 2nd-line therapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a randomized, double-blind phase III trial (ZEAL). ABS 31867, ASCO. 2009.
(3) Natale, R. et al. Vandetanib versus erlotinib in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of at least 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy: a randomized, double-blind phase III trial (ZEST). ABS 31610. ASCO. 2009.
(4) Ferlay, J. et al. GLOBOCAN 2002: Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide. IARC CancerBase No. 5. version 2.0. Lyon: IARC Press, 2004.
(5) Ginsberg RJ. et al. Cancer: Principles and Practices of Oncology. 5th ed; 858-911. 1997. 6th ed. 925-983. 2001.
(6) Bepler G. Lung cancer epidemiology and genetics. J Thorac Imaging 1999; 14(4):228-234.
Full results from the Phase III studies will be presented at a media briefing on Saturday 30th May. For more details, please contact Emma Overington on emma.overington@porternovelli.co.uk or +44-7971-769-239. Contacts: Janet Milton-Edwards, AstraZeneca, Tel : +44-1625-515275, Mob : +44-7990-640-119, Janet.milton-edwards@astrazeneca.com. Emily Denney, AstraZeneca US, Tel : +1-302-885-3451, Mob : +1-302-897-4953, Emily.Denney@astrazeneca.com
