AstraZeneca has reported new phase 3 results from its Emerald clinical trial program evaluating the combination of Imfinzi (durvalumab) and Imjudo (tremelimumab) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are eligible for embolization procedures.
The findings from the phase 3 Emerald-3 study were presented on June 1 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2026 Annual Meeting in Chicago. The trial assessed the company’s STRIDE regimen, which combines a single priming dose of Imjudo with Imfinzi, followed by Imfinzi administration every four weeks.
The three-arm study enrolled 760 patients with unresectable, embolization-eligible HCC. One investigational group received the STRIDE regimen together with lenvatinib, marketed as Lenvima by Merck and Eisai, in addition to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Researchers compared outcomes against those of patients receiving TACE alone.
According to the study results, the combination of STRIDE, Lenvima and TACE achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival compared with TACE alone. The regimen reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 30%. Median progression-free survival reached 13 months in the combination arm, compared with 9.8 months for patients treated only with TACE.
Patients eligible for liver embolization are considered early stage and are typically treated with TACE, a minimally invasive procedure that delivers chemotherapy directly into the blood supply of the tumor. However, many patients experience local disease progression after treatment and require repeated therapies.
Sunil Verma, AstraZeneca’s senior vice president and global head of the oncology franchise, said advances have produced important survival improvements in advanced disease, while this earlier-stage setting has not seen a shift in adoption of new systemic therapy for decades. He stated, “This really gives us important evidence that STRIDE works across the continuum of patients and hepatoceullar carcinoma.”
Verma also said the findings could bring a benefit to patients with early-stage disease, where there has not been an improvement for decades.
Although final overall survival results have not yet been reached, AstraZeneca reported a positive trend favoring the STRIDE and Lenvima combination. ASCO noted that the estimated two-year overall survival rate was 66.9% in the investigational group, compared with 61.5% among patients receiving TACE alone.
The study’s second investigational arm evaluated STRIDE together with TACE but without Lenvima. Researchers observed what AstraZeneca described as a clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival relative to TACE alone. While these endpoints had not been formally tested at the time of analysis, median progression-free survival was 12.9 months versus 8.1 months in the TACE-only group.
ASCO expert Vishwanath Sathyanarayanan described the regimen as a compelling therapeutic option for patients with unresectable, embolization-eligible HCC and said the findings are likely to influence clinical practice and may be considered practice-changing for medical oncologists treating hepatocellular carcinoma globally.
The Emerald-3 study will continue to evaluate overall survival and other secondary endpoints in both investigational groups. Based on the current findings, Verma said AstraZeneca will have discussions with regulators globally regarding potential regulatory submissions. The company will also continue follow-up to formally assess overall survival and other secondary endpoints across both investigational arms.
Imfinzi has demonstrated a meaningful progression-free survival benefit in the Phase 3 EMERALD-3 clinical trial for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The positive findings mark an important advancement for Imfinzi and reinforce its potential to improve outcomes for individuals diagnosed with advanced liver cancer.
Imfinzi and Imjudo Combination Shows Promise
The combination of Imfinzi and Imjudo was evaluated as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy designed to enhance anti-tumor immune responses. Trial results indicate that Imfinzi, when used alongside Imjudo and other treatment modalities, helped delay disease progression compared with standard treatment approaches.
Imfinzi Expands Its Oncology Footprint
The latest success further strengthens the position of Imfinzi within the oncology landscape. Already established across multiple cancer indications, Imfinzi continues to demonstrate clinical value in difficult-to-treat malignancies, including liver cancer, where effective treatment options remain limited.
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