Pfizer’s sasanlimab shows promise for some bladder cancer patients

US pharma major Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) reported new Phase III data over the weekend showing that its investigational PD-1 inhibitor sasanlimab, delivered subcutaneously, significantly improved outcomes for certain bladder cancer patients.

Data from the pivotal CREST study, presented at the American Urological Association annual meeting, showed that sasanlimab combined with BCG induction and maintenance therapy reduced the risk of disease-related events by 32%, compared to BCG alone.

People in the trial had non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). After 36 months, 82% of patients receiving the combination were event-free, compared to around 75% of those given BCG alone. Pfizer also noted that among patients with carcinoma in situ at the start of the trial, 91% remained in complete response at three years, compared to 68%.