Pfizer, Astellas Report Positive Phase 3 Trial Results for PADCEV Combination in Bladder Cancer Treatment

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is one of the most buzzing stocks to invest in according to hedge funds. Earlier on December 17, Astellas Pharma and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced positive topline results from the Phase 3 EV-304 clinical trial (also called KEYNOTE-B15). This study showed that the combination of PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) improves survival outcomes for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer/MIBC who are eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Used as a perioperative treatment, meaning both before and after surgery, this regimen is the first platinum-free therapy to show significant improvements in both Event-Free Survival and Overall Survival compared to the current standard of care, which relies on gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy. The trial also met a key secondary endpoint by showing a significant improvement in the pathologic complete response rate.

Currently, bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer globally, with over 614,000 annual diagnoses, including 85,000 in the US. ~30% of these cases are classified as MIBC. While the standard treatment has long been cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by surgery, ~50% of patients still experience disease recurrence or progression to metastatic disease within 3 years.

PADCEV is a first-in-class antibody-drug conjugate that targets Nectin-4, which is a protein highly expressed in bladder cancer cells. It works by delivering a cell-killing agent, monomethyl auristatin E, directly into the cancer cells to trigger apoptosis.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the US and internationally.

While we acknowledge the potential of PFE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.