AstraZeneca's immunotherapy drug Imfinzi earned expanded approval to treat lung cancer Friday, reports Reuters.
Here are five things to know.
1. The FDA approved Imfinzi to treat patients with inoperable, midstage non-small cell lung cancer that has not metastasized throughout the body.
2. The drug, which inhibits tumors' ability to hide from the immune system, represents the first immunotherapy drug approved for this use.
3. The agency previously approved the drug to treat a form of bladder cancer.
4. In a recent clinical trial involving 713 patients, Imfinzi prevented cancer progression for 16.8 months, compared to just 5.6 months for the placebo.
5. The approval opens up a multibillion market for AstraZeneca, as most of its competitors offer treatments for more advanced or metastatic forms of lung cancer.