Alectinib versus crizotinib in treatment-naive advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Primary results of the global phase III ALEX study.
LBA9008 Background: Alectinib, a TKI targeting ALK, has shown robust efficacy in crizotinib-naïve/resistant ALK+ NSCLC. J-ALEX showed superiority of alectinib 300mg BID vs crizotinib in Japanese pts with crizotinib-naïve ALK+ NSCLC (progression-free survival [PFS] HR 0.34, pALK+ NSCLC (NCT02075840). Methods: This open-label randomized multicenter phase III study enrolled pts with stage IIIB/IV ALK+ NSCLC, determined by central IHC testing. Eligible pts had ECOG PS 0–2 and no prior systemic therapy for advanced NSCLC. Pts with asymptomatic CNS metastases were allowed. Pts (n=303) were randomized 1:1 to receive alectinib 600mg or crizotinib 250mg BID. Primary endpoint: Investigator (Inv)-assessed PFS (RECIST v1.1), with systematic CNS imaging in all pts. Secondary endpoints included independent review committee (IRC)-assessed PFS, IRC-assessed time to CNS progression (TTP), objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS) and safety. Results: At the primary data cut-off (9 Feb 2017), alectinib demonstrated statistically significant superiority vs crizotinib, reducing risk of progression/death by 53% (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.34–0.65, pALK+ NSCLC. Funding: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Clinical trial information: NCT02075840.