AstraZeneca acknowledged top-line results of the Horizon II phase-III study evaluating Recentin (cediranib) for the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Cediranib met the co-primary endpoint of improving progression-free survival (PFS) but showed no improvement in overall survival (OS).

The adverse events associated with cediranib during this study were broadly consistent with previous studies. Horizon II is the second of two pivotal studies of cediranib in first-line mCRC. In March, the Horizon III study of cediranib plus chemotherapy versus bevacizumab plus chemotherapy did not meet the primary endpoint of PFS.

Based on the results of these two trials, AstraZeneca does not intend to file regulatory submissions in first-line mCRC.

The results of a phase-III study evaluating cediranib for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (REGAL) are expected soon. In addition, AstraZeneca is currently examining whether cediranib may have applications in a number of different tumour types.

Data from Horizon II and Horizon III will be submitted to a forthcoming medical congress.