3 Polish doctors convicted in 2021 death of pregnant woman
The death from sepsis of the woman known as Iza at a hospital in southern Poland in her 22nd week of pregnancy led to huge street protests against the country's restrictive anti-abortion law. Activists blamed her death on doctors' choice to 'wait and see' rather than immediately carry out an abortion because of the Poland's near-ban on the procedure.
Two of the doctors were sentenced to more than a year in prison without parole and the third received a two-year suspended sentence, PAP reported Thursday. They can appeal the decision.
The charges, filed in 2022, were of exposing the patient to the danger of loss of life. Two of the doctors also were charged with unintentionally causing the patient's death.
'As a result of the team's activity and the failure to act, the patient has died,' Agnieszka Wichary, spokesperson for the prosecutors' office in Katowice, said in a statement at the time.
Poland, a mostly Catholic country, passed a strict law in 1993 that banned abortions except when the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, when the woman's life or health is at risk, or when the fetus had congenital deformities.
But the Constitutional Tribunal, under the influence of Poland's conservative ruling party, ruled in 2020 that abortions for congenital defects were not constitutional, even if the fetus has no chance of survival. That sparked huge street protests.
Activists said Iza was the first to die from the further tightening of the restrictive law. The woman left behind a husband and a daughter.
In practice, activists say, many women have abortions on their own with pills obtained from abroad.
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The approval is based on results from the phase III INAVO120 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in October 2024, which showed a 57% reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival [PFS]) with the Itovebi-based regimen compared with palbociclib and fulvestrant alone (15.0 months vs. 7.3 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.43; 95% CI: 0.32-0.59, p<0.001) in the first-line setting.1 The PFS benefit was consistent across all pre-specified subgroups and the Itovebi-based regimen was well tolerated, with no new safety signals observed.1 These results were reinforced by the INAVO120 final overall survival analysis that showed the Itovebi-based regimen reduced the risk of death by 33% (stratified HR=0.67; 95% CI: 0.48–0.94, p-value=0.0190 [boundary=0.0469]).5 Additionally, the treatment regimen substantially delayed the time to chemotherapy by approximately two years compared with palbociclib and fulvestrant alone (stratified HR=0.43; 95% CI: 0.30-0.60).5 These data were presented at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting and published in the New England Journal of Medicine in May 2025. Beyond INAVO120, Itovebi is currently being investigated in three company-sponsored phase III studies (INAVO121, INAVO122, INAVO123), all in PIK3CA-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in various combinations.6-8 We are exploring additional studies in breast cancer and other tumour types with the hope of providing the benefit of this targeted therapy to more people with PIK3CA mutations. About Itovebi TM (inavolisib)Itovebi is an oral, targeted treatment that has been shown to provide well-tolerated and durable disease control in people with PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, advanced breast cancer, who often have a poor prognosis and are in urgent need of new treatment options.1,4,9 Itovebi has been designed to help minimise the overall burden and toxicity of treatment and is differentiated from other PI3K inhibitors due to its high potency and specificity for the PI3K alpha isoform versus other isoforms, and unique mechanism of action that facilitates the degradation of mutated PI3K alpha.10,11 In addition to the European Commission's approval, the Itovebi-based regimen is also approved for the treatment of adults with endocrine-resistant, PIK3CA-mutated, HR-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in the United States, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirates, China and Taiwan, with data from INAVO120 under review with several other global health authorities. About the INAVO120 studyThe INAVO120 study [NCT04191499] is a phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Itovebi™ (inavolisib) in combination with palbociclib and fulvestrant versus placebo plus palbociclib and fulvestrant in people with PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose disease progressed during treatment or within 12 months of completing adjuvant endocrine therapy and who have not received prior systemic therapy for metastatic disease.12 The study included 325 patients, who were randomly assigned to either the investigational or control treatment arm.12 The primary endpoint is progression-free survival, as assessed by investigators, defined as the time from randomisation in the clinical trial to the time when the disease progresses, or a patient dies from any cause.12 Secondary endpoints include overall survival, objective response rate, and clinical benefit rate.12 Beyond INAVO120, Itovebi is currently being investigated in three company-sponsored phase III clinical studies in PIK3CA-mutated locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in various combinations: in combination with fulvestrant versus alpelisib plus fulvestrant in HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer post cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor and endocrine combination therapy (INAVO121; NCT05646862).6 in combination with pertuzumab plus trastuzumab for subcutaneous injection (SC) versus pertuzumab plus trastuzumab for SC and optional physician's choice of endocrine therapy as a maintenance treatment in HER2-positive disease (INAVO122; NCT05894239).7 in combination with CDK4/6 inhibitor and letrozole versus placebo plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor and letrozole in the first-line setting in PIK3CA-mutated HR-positive/HER2-negative, endocrine-sensitive breast cancer (INAVO123; NCT06790693).8 About oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancerER-positive is a subtype of hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer, the most prevalent type of all breast cancers, accounting for approximately 70% of cases.13,14 A defining feature of ER-positive breast cancer is that its tumour cells have receptors that attach to oestrogen, which can contribute to tumour growth.15 People diagnosed with ER-positive and HR-positive metastatic breast cancer often face the risk of disease progression and treatment side effects, creating a need for additional treatment options.14,16,17 The PI3K signalling pathway is commonly dysregulated in HR-positive breast cancer, often due to activating PIK3CA mutations, which have been identified as a potential mechanism of intrinsic resistance to standard of care endocrine therapy in combination with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors.9 About Roche in breast cancerRoche has been advancing breast cancer research for more than 30 years with the goal ofhelping as many people with the disease as possible. Our medicines, along with companiondiagnostic tests, have contributed to bringing breakthrough outcomes in human epidermal growth factor 2-positive and triple-negative breast cancers. As our understanding of breast cancer biology rapidly improves, we are working to identify new biomarkers and approaches to treatment for other subtypes of the disease, including oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, which is a form of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, the most prevalent type of all breast cancers.13,14 About Roche Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice. For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by Turner NC, et al. Inavolisib-Based Therapy in PIK3CA-Mutated Advanced Breast Cancer. NEJM. 2024;391(17):1584-96.[2] Cizkova M, et al. Gene expression profiling reveals new aspects of PIK3CA mutation in ERalpha-positive breast cancer: major implication of the Wnt signaling pathway. PLoS One. 2010;30;5(12):e15647.[3] Schagerholm C, et al. PIK3CA mutations in endocrine-resistant breast cancer. Scientific Reports. 2024;14:12542.[4] Fillbrunn M, et al. PIK3CA mutation status, progression and survival in advanced HR+/HER2- breast cancer: a meta-analysis of published clinical trials. BMC Cancer. 2022;22(1):1002.[5] Jhaveri KL, et al. Overall Survival with Inavolisib in PIK3CA-Mutated Advanced Breast Cancer. 2025;40454641.[6] A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Inavolisib Plus Fulvestrant Compared With Alpelisib Plus Fulvestrant in Participants With HR-Positive, HER2-Negative, PIK3CA Mutated, Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer Post CDK4/6i and Endocrine Combination Therapy (INAVO121) [Internet; cited 2025 June]. Available from: [7] A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Inavolisib in Combination With Phesgo Versus Placebo in Combination With Phesgo in Participants With PIK3CA-Mutated HER2-Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer (INAVO122) [Internet; cited 2025 June]. Available from: [8] A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Inavolisib Plus CDK4/6 Inhibitor and Letrozole vs Placebo + CDK4/6i and Letrozole in Participants With Endocrine-Sensitive PIK3CA-Mutated, Hormone Receptor-Positive, HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer (INAVO123) [Internet; cited 2025 June]. Available from: Anderson E, et al. A Systematic Review of the Prevalence and Diagnostic Workup of PIK3CA Mutations in HR+/HER2– Metastatic Breast Cancer. Int J Breast Cancer. 2020;2020:3759179.[10] Juric D, et al. A phase I/Ib study of inavolisib (GDC-0077) in combination with fulvestrant in patients (pts) with PIK3CA-mutated hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative (HR+/HER2–) metastatic breast cancer. Presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, 2020 December 7-10; San Antonio, USA. Abstract #P5-17-05.[11] Hong R, et al. GDC-0077 is a selective PI3K alpha inhibitor that demonstrates robust efficacy in PIK3CA mutant breast cancer models as a single agent and in combination with standard of care therapies. Cancer Res. 2018;78(4):4-14.[12] A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Inavolisib + Palbociclib + Fulvestrant vs Placebo + Palbociclib + Fulvestrant in Patients With PIK3CA-Mutant, Hormone Receptor-Positive, Her2-Negative, Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer (INAVO120) [Internet; cited 2025 June]. Available from: National Cancer Institute: Surveillance, Epidemiology and Ends Result Program. Cancer Stat Facts: Female Breast Cancer Subtypes [Internet; cited 2025 June]. Available from: Lim E, et al. The natural history of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Oncology (Williston Park). 2012;26(8):688-94,696.[15] Wu VS, et al. From bench to bedside: What do we know about hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer? J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2015 Sep;153:45-53.[16] Tomas R and Barrios CH. Optimal management of hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer in 2016. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2015;7(6):304-20.[17] Galipeau N, et al. Understanding key symptoms, side effects, and impacts of HR+/HER- advanced breast cancer: qualitative study findings. J Patient-Rep Outcomes. 2019;3(1): Global Media RelationsPhone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: Hans Trees, PhDPhone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia UrechPhone: +41 79 935 81 48 Nathalie AltermattPhone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena CorfasPhone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon GoldsboroughPhone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten KleinePhone: +41 79 461 86 83 Kirti PandeyPhone: +49 172 6367262 Yvette PetillonPhone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka SchnellPhone: +41 79 205 27 03 Roche Investor Relations Dr Bruno EschliPhone: +41 61 68-75284e-mail: Dr Sabine BorngräberPhone: +41 61 68-88027e-mail: Dr Birgit MasjostPhone: +41 61 68-84814e-mail: Investor Relations North America Loren KalmPhone: +1 650 225 3217e-mail: Attachment Media Investor Release EC approves Itovebi English
