A total of 231 patients were randomized to one of the two treatment arms in a 1:1 ratio. Randomization was stratified by World Health Organization (WHO) performance status (0 versus 1-2) and whether the patient had brain metastases at screening. The study was planned to be ended once the final overall survival (OS) analysis was performed (at the earliest of approximately 196 deaths observed or statistical significance reached at earlier OS interim analysis).
Following an agreement between Novartis and European Medicines Agency (EMA) in May 2023 to terminate the trial earlier, this study was completed when the total number of deaths was 190. Patients who had Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST)-defined disease progression as confirmed by the Blinded Independent Review Committee (BIRC), but who, in the opinion of the Investigator, had continued clinical benefit from study treatment on either the chemotherapy arm or the ceritinib arm, continued to receive treatment. These patients continued assessments in the treatment phase. In addition, only patients randomized to the chemotherapy arm were allowed to crossover to receive ceritinib therapy (extension treatment \[ET\] phase) after BIRC-confirmed, RECIST-defined disease progression, and provided they met the eligibility requirements.
