Benzinga | Sep 17, 2021 06:51AM EDT

Novartis' Prostate Cancer Therapy Linked To Improved Quality Of Life

* Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) is building the case for its radioligand therapy, 177Lu-PSMA-617.

* With positive Phase 3 primary endpoint data in the bag, Novartis at the European Society of Medical Oncology Congress 2021 (ESMO21) presented the therapy's effect on the quality of life and pain.

* Earlier this year, Novartis revealed that the Phase 3 trial linked 177Lu-PSMA-617 to a four-month median improvement in overall survival.

* Related Link: Novartis' Prostate Cancer Radioligand Therapy Extended Overall Survival by Four Months.

* Novartis sought to understand the effect of 177Lu-PSMA-617 on daily activities through secondary endpoints that looked at the patient-reported quality of life and pain.

* The endpoints linked the drug to estimated risk reductions in the worsening of health-related quality of life and pain intensity of 54% and 55%, respectively.

* Read Next: Novartis Beefs Up Radioligand Portfolio With iTheranostics Deal.

* The company is ramping up other studies that could enable it to bring 177Lu-PSMA-617 to more prostate cancer patients.

* In one study, Novartis is enrolling men who are yet to take taxanes, a class of chemotherapy drugs.

* The other ongoing trial could move 177Lu-PSMA-617 into an even line of treatment by testing it in combination with standard of care.

* Price Action: NVS stock closed 0.82% lower at $84.38 on Thursday.

* Check out our coverage of the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO21).