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This daily pill may reduce lung cancer deaths

This daily pill may reduce lung cancer deaths

Researchers have found that taking the drug osimertinib once a day can reduce lung cancer patients' risk of dying by 51 percent.

The results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago. Led by researchers from Yale University, the results come after a decade-long global study.

Speaking at the event, lead study author Dr Roy Herbst described the results as "chilling".

"Thirty years ago, we couldn't do anything for these patients. Now we have this powerful drug," said Herbst.

The trial looked at patients aged 30-86 from 26 countries, including Europe and the US. He specifically focused on whether osimertinib could target non-small cell lung cancer, which is the most common type.

Over five years, 88 percent of patients who received the drug were still alive compared to 78 percent of people who received a placebo.