Seven-Year Analysis from Pfizer’s LORBRENA CROWN Trial Shows Longest Progression-Free Survival Reported to Date in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Key Terms
progression-free survival medical
non-small cell lung cancer medical
hazard ratio medical
confidence interval medical
intracranial medical
blood-brain barrier medical
adverse events medical
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Patients had a
55% likelihood of remaining alive without disease progression at seven years, and median progression-free survival was not reached with LORBRENA - Updated follow-up analysis solidifies LORBRENA as a preferred standard of care, building upon five-year results
At seven years, patients treated with LORBRENA had a
“The updated results from the CROWN trial show unprecedented long-term clinical benefit, with estimates indicating the majority of patients treated with LORBRENA remained alive and progression-free at seven years. While definitive conclusions cannot be drawn across studies, this appears to represent the longest observed progression-free survival reported to date in metastatic or advanced lung cancer,” said Jeff Legos, Chief Oncology Officer, Pfizer. “These findings further showcase Pfizer’s world-class discovery expertise and our commitment to developing breakthroughs that help improve care for people with advanced NSCLC.”
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide,1 and nearly 230,000 new cases are expected in the
LORBRENA was specifically designed and developed by Pfizer to inhibit tumor mutations that drive resistance to other ALK inhibitors and to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Results from this seven-year follow-up showed that LORBRENA prevented and controlled brain metastases, with a
“These seven-year outcomes from the CROWN study are remarkable not only for their durability of tumor response but for what they represent—a fundamental shift in what clinicians and patients might reasonably expect from treatment for advanced-stage NSCLC,” said Tony Shu-Kam Mok, BBS, Endowed Professor, Li Shu Fan Medical Foundation, Chairman of the Dept. of Clinical Oncology, Chinese University of
“Behind every clinical trial is a person continuing to live their life—raising children, pursuing careers, making memories—without their cancer progressing,” said Kenneth Culver, M.D., Director of Research and Clinical Affairs at the non-profit organization ALK Positive. “These seven-year results provide compelling evidence that long-term disease control is possible, and we applaud Pfizer's dedication to advancing treatments that are changing what it means to live with ALK-positive lung cancer.”
The safety profiles of LORBRENA and XALKORI were consistent with previous findings, with no new safety signals observed. In this analysis, the most frequent (≥
Pfizer is continuing its commitment to help non-scientists understand the latest findings with the development of abstract plain language summaries (APLS) for company-sponsored research being presented at ASCO, which are written in non-technical language. Those interested in learning more can visit www.Pfizer.com/apls to access the summaries.
About the CROWN Trial
CROWN is a Phase 3, randomized, open-label, parallel two-arm trial in which 296 people with previously untreated ALK-positive advanced NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to receive LORBRENA monotherapy (n=149) or XALKORI monotherapy (n=147). The primary endpoint of the CROWN trial was PFS based on Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) with a key secondary endpoint of overall survival (OS) for which follow-up is ongoing and results will be reported in the future. Additional secondary endpoints include PFS based on investigator’s assessment, objective response rate (ORR), intracranial objective response rate (IC-ORR), and safety. Given that median PFS was not reached after three years of follow-up, and then later after five years of follow-up, unplanned post-hoc analyses were executed with the intent to further quantify long-term outcomes based on investigator tumor assessment from this trial. The present analysis was performed at a clinically meaningful landmark follow-up of seven years.
About LORBRENA® (lorlatinib)
LORBRENA is approved in the
Please see Full Prescribing Information for LORBRENA® (lorlatinib) or visit https://www.lorbrena.com.
IMPORTANT LORBRENA® (lorlatinib) SAFETY INFORMATION FROM THE
Contraindications: LORBRENA is contraindicated in patients taking strong CYP3A inducers, due to the potential for serious hepatotoxicity.
Risk of Serious Hepatotoxicity with Concomitant Use of Strong CYP3A Inducers: Severe hepatotoxicity occurred in 10 of 12 healthy subjects receiving a single dose of LORBRENA with multiple daily doses of rifampin, a strong CYP3A inducer. Grade 4 ALT or AST elevations occurred in
Central Nervous System (CNS) Effects: A broad spectrum of CNS effects can occur; overall, CNS effects occurred in
Hyperlipidemia: Increases in serum cholesterol and triglycerides can occur. Grade 3 or 4 elevations in total cholesterol occurred in
Atrioventricular (AV) Block: PR interval prolongation and AV block can occur. In 476 patients who received LORBRENA at a dose of 100 mg orally once daily and who had a baseline electrocardiography (ECG),
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis: Severe or life-threatening pulmonary adverse reactions consistent with ILD/pneumonitis can occur. ILD/pneumonitis occurred in
Hypertension: Hypertension can occur. Hypertension occurred in
Hyperglycemia: Hyperglycemia can occur. Hyperglycemia occurred in
Embryo-fetal Toxicity: LORBRENA can cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective non-hormonal method of contraception, since LORBRENA can render hormonal contraceptives ineffective, during treatment with LORBRENA and for at least 6 months after the final dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LORBRENA and for 3 months after the final dose.
Adverse Reactions: In the pooled safety population of 476 patients who received 100 mg LORBRENA once daily, the most frequent (≥
In previously untreated patients, serious adverse reactions occurred in
Drug Interactions: LORBRENA is contraindicated in patients taking strong CYP3A inducers. Avoid concomitant use with moderate CYP3A inducers, strong CYP3A inhibitors, and fluconazole. If concomitant use of moderate CYP3A inducers cannot be avoided, increase the LORBRENA dose as recommended. If concomitant use with a strong CYP3A inhibitor or fluconazole cannot be avoided, reduce the LORBRENA dose as recommended. Avoid concomitant use of LORBRENA with CYP3A substrates and P-gp substrates, which may reduce the efficacy of these substrates.
Lactation: Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, instruct women not to breastfeed during treatment with LORBRENA and for 7 days after the final dose.
Hepatic Impairment: No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild (total bilirubin ≤ ULN with AST > ULN or total bilirubin >1 to 1.5 × ULN with any AST) to moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment. In patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C), the recommended dosage of LORBRENA is 50 mg orally once daily.
Renal Impairment: In patients with CLcr 15 to <30mL/min (estimated by Cockcroft-Gault), the recommended dosage of LORBRENA is 75 mg orally once daily. No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with CLcr 30 to 89 mL/min (estimated by Cockcroft-Gault).
INDICATION
LORBRENA® (lorlatinib) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors are anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive as detected by an FDA-approved test.
About XALKORI® (crizotinib)
XALKORI is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors are ALK- or ROS1-positive as detected by an FDA-approved test. XALKORI has received approval for patients with ALK-positive NSCLC in more than 90 countries including
The full prescribing information for XALKORI can be found here.
IMPORTANT XALKORI® (crizotinib) SAFETY INFORMATION FROM THE
Hepatotoxicity: Drug-induced hepatotoxicity with fatal outcome occurred in
Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis: Severe, life-threatening, or fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis can occur. Across clinical trials (n=1719),
QT Interval Prolongation: QTc prolongation can occur. Across clinical trials (n=1616),
Bradycardia: Symptomatic bradycardia can occur. Across clinical trials, bradycardia occurred in
Severe Visual Loss: Across clinical trials, the incidence of Grade 4 visual field defect with vision loss was
Vision Disorders: Most commonly visual impairment, photopsia, blurred vision or vitreous floaters, occurred in
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: XALKORI can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise of the potential risk to the fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 45 days (females) or 90 days (males) respectively, following the final dose of XALKORI.
ROS1-positive Metastatic NSCLC: Safety was evaluated in 50 patients with ROS1-positive metastatic NSCLC from a single-arm study and was generally consistent with the safety profile of XALKORI evaluated in patients with ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC. Vision disorders occurred in
Adverse Reactions: Safety was evaluated in a phase 3 study in previously untreated patients with ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC randomized to XALKORI (n=171) or chemotherapy (n=169). Serious adverse events were reported in
Drug Interactions: Use caution with concomitant use of moderate CYP3A inhibitors. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice which may increase plasma concentrations of crizotinib. Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A inducers and inhibitors. Avoid concomitant use of CYP3A substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious adverse reactions. If concomitant use of XALKORI is unavoidable, decrease the CYP3A substrate dosage in accordance with approved product labeling.
Lactation: Because of the potential for adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with XALKORI and for 45 days after the final dose.
Hepatic Impairment: Crizotinib concentrations increased in patients with pre-existing moderate (any AST and total bilirubin >1.5x ULN and ≤3x ULN) or severe (any AST and total bilirubin >3x ULN) hepatic impairment. Reduce XALKORI dosage in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment. The recommended dose of XALKORI in patients with pre-existing moderate hepatic impairment is 200 mg orally twice daily or with pre-existing severe hepatic impairment is 250 mg orally once daily.
Renal Impairment: Decreases in estimated glomerular filtration rate occurred in patients treated with XALKORI. Administer XALKORI at a starting dose of 250 mg taken orally once daily in patients with severe renal impairment (CLcr <30 mL/min) not requiring dialysis.
About Pfizer Oncology
At Pfizer Oncology, we are at the forefront of a new era in cancer care. Our industry-leading portfolio and extensive pipeline includes three core mechanisms of action to attack cancer from multiple angles, including small molecules, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and multispecific antibodies, including other immune-oncology biologics. We are focused on delivering transformative therapies in some of the world’s most common cancers, including breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, genitourinary cancer, hematology-oncology, and thoracic cancers, which includes lung cancer. Driven by science, we are committed to accelerating breakthroughs to help people with cancer live better and longer lives.
About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients’ Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development, and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments, and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments, and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For 175 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.com and follow us on X at @Pfizer and @Pfizer News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.
Disclosure Notice
The information contained in this release is as of May 29, 2026. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments.
This release contains forward-looking information about LORBRENA® (lorlatinib) and Pfizer Oncology, including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, uncertainties regarding the commercial success of LORBRENA; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical endpoints, commencement and/or completion dates for our clinical trials, regulatory submission dates, regulatory approval dates and/or launch dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable new clinical data and further analyses of existing clinical data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations and assessments by regulatory authorities; whether regulatory authorities will be satisfied with the design of and results from our clinical studies; whether and when any drug applications may be filed in any additional jurisdictions for LORBRENA for the treatment of patients with ALK-positive advanced NSCLC or in any jurisdictions for any other potential indications for LORBRENA; whether and when any such applications may be approved by regulatory authorities, which will depend on a myriad factors, including making a determination as to whether the product's benefits outweigh its known risks and determination of the product's efficacy and, if approved, whether LORBRENA will be commercially successful; decisions by regulatory authorities impacting labeling, manufacturing processes, safety and/or other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of LORBRENA; risks and uncertainties related to issued or future executive orders or other new, or changes in, laws or regulations; uncertainties regarding the impact of COVID-19 on Pfizer’s business, operations and financial results; and competitive developments.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results”, as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and www.pfizer.com.
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