AstraZeneca said its cancer drug Imfinzi, combined with Amgen’s Imdelltra, significantly improved overall survival for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.
The companies reported the results from the late-stage DeLLphi-305 trial on Tuesday. The study tested the combination as a maintenance treatment after patients completed initial therapy with Imfinzi and platinum chemotherapy.
The findings could offer a new option for people facing one of the most aggressive forms of lung cancer.
Imfinzi Imdelltra combination improves survival
The DeLLphi-305 trial involved patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer, or ES-SCLC.
These patients had not seen their disease progress after initial treatment. That treatment combined Imfinzi with platinum chemotherapy and etoposide.
Researchers then compared maintenance treatment with Imfinzi alone against Imfinzi plus tarlatamab, the active ingredient in Imdelltra.
According to AstraZeneca, the combination produced a statistically significant improvement in overall survival. It also improved progression-free survival and the objective response rate.
The company said the results came from a planned interim analysis of the Phase III trial.
New hope for aggressive lung cancer
Small-cell lung cancer grows quickly and can spread to other parts of the body. Therefore, doctors often face a difficult treatment challenge.
Many patients eventually see their disease return after initial therapy. Some also progress before they can receive later-line treatment.
Susan Galbraith, AstraZeneca’s executive vice president for Oncology Haematology R&D, called the survival improvement unprecedented.
She said the findings support the use of Imfinzi as the backbone of treatment for small-cell lung cancer.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jacob Sands of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute described the results as especially important because patients with extensive-stage disease can relapse quickly.
He said the findings could signal a new era of longer survival for more patients.
Imfinzi already has approvals worldwide
Imfinzi is already approved in the United States, European Union, Japan, China and several other markets.
The drug has established uses in both extensive-stage and limited-stage small-cell lung cancer.
AstraZeneca said previous Phase III CASPIAN and ADRIATIC trials supported those treatment settings.
However, the company said many patients with ES-SCLC still face a poor prognosis. Current treatment has improved survival, but the disease remains highly aggressive.
Lung cancer remains a major global threat
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. It accounts for about 19% of cancer deaths, according to the figures cited by AstraZeneca.
Doctors generally divide lung cancer into two major groups. These are non-small-cell lung cancer and small-cell lung cancer.
Small-cell lung cancer accounts for about 15% of lung cancer cases. Moreover, around two-thirds of patients receive an extensive-stage diagnosis.
At that stage, the cancer has spread widely through the lungs or reached other parts of the body.
Five-year survival remains especially low for ES-SCLC. The figures cited in the company announcement put five-year survival at 3.6% for extensive-stage disease.
Safety profile remains consistent
AstraZeneca said the safety and tolerability profile of the Imfinzi and tarlatamab combination matched the known safety profiles of the individual treatments.
The company also reported no new safety signals in the trial.
The results now add to growing research into combination treatments for small-cell lung cancer.
However, further detailed trial data will be important as researchers and regulators assess the findings. For patients, the results offer another potential advance in a disease that continues to present major treatment challenges.
