AstraZeneca Reports Positive Phase 3 EMERALD-3 Results In Liver Cancer Treatment, Imfinzi-Based Combination Shows PFS Benefit

AstraZeneca reported positive high-level results from the Phase III EMERALD-3 trial evaluating Imfinzi (durvalumab) in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab), lenvatinib, and transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The combination achieved a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to TACE alone.

At the interim analysis, the regimen also showed a favourable trend toward improved overall survival (OS), a key secondary endpoint. Patients in the investigational arms received the STRIDE regimen, tremelimumab plus durvalumab, with or without lenvatinib, administered before and alongside TACE.

Ghassan Abou-Alfa, MD, JD, MBA, PhD(hc), Attending Physician, Professor of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and principal investigator in the trial said, “Dual immunotherapy with durvalumab and tremelimumab in the STRIDE regimen represents a meaningful advance for patients with embolisation-eligible liver cancer, who currently lack systemic treatment options to keep their cancer from progressing or recurring, with a trend of improving survival. EMERALD‑3 shows we can now significantly reduce the risk of disease progression with STRIDE as the immunotherapy backbone alongside lenvatinib and TACE.”

Although not yet formally tested, additional data from the STRIDE plus TACE arm showed encouraging trends in PFS and OS compared with standard treatment. The study will continue to monitor survival outcomes and other secondary endpoints as data matures.

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology Haematology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: “EMERALD‑3 now shows that bringing the dual immunotherapy STRIDE regimen earlier, alongside TACE and lenvatinib, can further improve outcomes in earlier‑stage liver cancer. This builds on the HIMALAYA Phase III trial data in patients with advanced, unresectable disease, where the STRIDE regimen has already demonstrated a durable overall survival benefit. We are discussing these positive data with global regulatory authorities while awaiting the final results from the key secondary endpoints.”

Hepatocellular carcinoma remains the most common form of liver cancer, with many patients eligible for embolisation therapies like TACE. However, disease progression or recurrence is common within months of treatment. The safety profile of the combination therapies was consistent with known data, with no new safety concerns identified.

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