Two Japanese studies Thursday showed AstraZeneca PLC's (AZN.LN) cancer drug Iressa provided significant advantages over types of chemotherapy for patients with a genetic mutation.

Data from the WJTOG 3405 and NEJ002 studies presented at a joint congress of the European Cancer Organisation and the European Society for Medical Oncology in Berlin showed Iressa extended the time patients lived without their cancer getting worse compared to chemotherapy in lung cancer patients with a specific mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene.

One trial tested Iressa against cisplatin and docetaxel and the second compared it with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

AstraZeneca Medical Science Director Alison Armour said it is essential that testing for this mutation becomes part of standard clinical practice.

Iressa was approved in Europe in July for use in lung cancer patients with the mutation.

Company Web site: www.asrtrazeneca.com

-By Jason Douglas, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9272; jason.douglas@dowjones.com
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