Long-Term Results from SABR-COMET Further Demonstrate Effectiveness of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Comprehensive Treatment of Metastatic Cancers

Rhea-AI Summary

Results from the SABR-COMET study, published June 2, 2020, indicate that stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) significantly improves overall survival in patients with oligometastatic cancers. Patients receiving SABR showed a 22-month increase in 5-year median overall survival, equating to a 24.6% absolute survival benefit over standard care. The findings support SABR as a viable treatment option and suggest a shift in treatment paradigms for low burden metastatic disease. Ongoing trials aim to further validate these benefits.

Positive

• SABR demonstrated a 22-month increase in 5-year median overall survival.
• The relative survival benefit of 24.6% reflects significant clinical impact.
• Varian is actively funding phase III trials to confirm SABR's effectiveness.

Negative

• Patients receiving SABR were 20% more likely to experience adverse events.

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Long-term results of the Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Comprehensive Treatment of Oligometastatic Cancers (SABR-COMET) study published June 2, 2020 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology showed positive increases in overall survival for patients with multiple sites of metastasis when treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) versus standard-of-care.¹ Through the extended follow-up, the impact of SABR on overall survival was larger in magnitude than in the study's initial analysis published last year in The Lancet.²

"The durability of the randomized data indicates a paradigm shift in our approach to the treatment of patients with low burden metastatic disease," commented senior study author Suresh Senan, MRCP, FRCR, PhD, Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Amsterdam University Medical Centres in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. "These data add to a growing body of evidence that supports the use of SABR as an ablative therapy for oligometastatic cancers."

As outlined in the latest study results, patients in the international randomized phase II trial who received SABR demonstrated a 22-month improvement in 5-year median overall survival compared with patients who received a standard-of-care approach alone, corresponding to an absolute survival benefit of 24.6%.³ This is a marked improvement from the results of the initial analysis² in which the patients receiving SABR demonstrated a 13-month improvement in median overall survival over the control group.

"The size of the effect on long-term survival in this seminal study marks a step-change in the way clinicians should treat metastases from the highest incidence cancers," said Ricky Sharma, MD, PhD, vice president of Clinical Affairs at Varian (NYSE: VAR). "With over one million stereotactic body radiotherapy cases treated on TrueBeam® alone, Varian continues to invest heavily to incorporate artificial intelligence, extraordinary precision, and unrivalled patient workflow into our industry leading delivery platforms for radiosurgery. We believe our continued pursuit of innovation and investment will ultimately help change the trajectory of cancer outcomes for all patients."

While systemic therapy, including chemotherapy, has been offered to patients with multiple metastases, the SABR-COMET data add to the growing body of evidence that suggests the addition of non-invasive treatments such as SABR can improve long-term outcomes for patients. Phase III randomized trials are ongoing to confirm the magnitude of the survival benefit for patients with a variety of metastatic cancers, including the international, multi-center SABR-COMET-3 clinical trial funded by Varian.

Mirroring the most common cancers treated across the world, primary tumor types in the study were breast, lung, colorectal and prostate. All patients enrolled had one to five new metastatic lesions. Although patients treated with radiotherapy were 20% more likely to suffer adverse events, there was no long-term impairment of quality of life.  The study further showed that even with SABR, patients may progress with new metastases, likely due to the presence of micrometastatic disease, but that some can receive salvage therapy with repeat SABR. 

About Varian
At Varian, we envision a world without fear of cancer. For more than 70 years, we have developed, built and delivered innovative cancer care technologies and solutions for our clinical partners around the globe to help them treat millions of patients each year. With an Intelligent Cancer Care approach, we are harnessing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics to enhance cancer treatment and expand access to care. Our 10,000 employees across 70 countries keep the patient and our clinical partners at the center of our thinking as we power new victories in cancer care. Because, for cancer patients everywhere, their fight is our fight. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com and follow @VarianMedSys on Twitter.

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¹ J Clin Oncol 2020 Jun 2;JCO2000818 doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.00818
² -5%2Ffulltext&a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelancet.com%2Fjournals%2Flancet%2Farticle%2FPIIS0140-6736(18)32487-5%2Ffulltext" rel="nofollow">https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32487-5/fulltext
³ J Clin Oncol 2020 Jun 2;JCO2000818 doi: 10.1200/JCO.20.00818 

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SOURCE Varian

FAQ

What were the results of the SABR-COMET study published on June 2, 2020?

The SABR-COMET study revealed that stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) improved overall survival by 22 months compared to standard care.

How does SABR compare to standard treatment for oligometastatic cancers?

SABR provides a 24.6% absolute survival benefit and significantly outperforms standard-of-care treatment.

What is Varian's role in the ongoing SABR-COMET-3 clinical trial?

Varian is funding the SABR-COMET-3 trial to further confirm the survival benefits of SABR for various metastatic cancers.

What types of cancers were primarily treated in the SABR-COMET study?

The study primarily included breast, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer patients.

What were the adverse effects associated with SABR according to the study?

Patients treated with SABR experienced a 20% higher likelihood of adverse events, though there was no long-term quality of life impairment.