Novartis (NVS) said Friday that five-year results from the phase 3 Natalee study show Kisqali plus endocrine therapy reduced the risk of recurrence by 28% in early HR-positive or HER2-negative breast cancer versus endocrine therapy alone.

The combined regimen delivered an 85.5% invasive disease-free survival rate at five years versus 81% for endocrine therapy alone, the company said.

Benefit was seen across key subgroups, including patients without lymph-node involvement, Novartis said.

Kisqali also showed a 29% reduction in the risk of distant recurrence and a favorable trend in overall survival, though survival data remain immature, the company added.

Additionally, the company also said roughly two years after patients finished the three-year Kisqali course, no new safety issues were observed.