AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) reported positive results from the EMERALD-3 Phase III trial showing that IMFINZI (durvalumab) combined with IMJUDO (tremelimumab-actl), lenvatinib and transarterial chemoembolization demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival compared to TACE alone in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma eligible for embolization.

The trial evaluated patients treated with the STRIDE regimen, which combines a single dose of IMJUDO 300mg with IMFINZI 1500mg followed by IMFINZI every four weeks, alongside TACE and lenvatinib. An interim analysis for overall survival, a key secondary endpoint, showed a trend toward improvement versus TACE alone, though this was not formally tested at this time.

The safety profile for the combination remained consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, with no new safety findings reported. The trial will continue to follow overall survival and other key secondary endpoints.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. According to the company, more than 200,000 patients with HCC will be eligible for embolization in 2026. Most patients who receive embolization experience disease progression or recurrence within six to 10 months.

EMERALD-3 is a randomized, open-label Phase III trial involving 760 patients with unresectable HCC eligible for embolization, conducted across 171 centers in 22 countries. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival for IMFINZI plus IMJUDO, lenvatinib and TACE versus TACE alone.

The company plans to present these data at an upcoming medical meeting and discuss the results with global regulatory authorities while awaiting final results from key secondary endpoints.