New Combo Therapy Boosts Survival in Extensive-Stage SCLC
A new combination therapy, atezolizumab plus lurbinectedin, has shown promising results in treating extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The regimen, developed by Roche and Jazz Pharmaceuticals, targets both tumour cells and the immune system, improving survival rates and progression-free survival.
The combination of atezolizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-L1, and lurbinectedin, which inhibits oncogenic transcription and modulates the tumour microenvironment, has demonstrated significant benefits. In a clinical trial, the atezolizumab-lurbinectedin regimen reduced the risk of death by 27% and the risk of disease progression or death by 46% compared to atezolizumab monotherapy. Median progression-free survival improved from 2.1 months to 5.4 months, and median overall survival increased from 10.6 months to 13.2 months.
The regimen works by directly targeting tumour cells and enhancing the body's immune response. Lurbinectedin causes DNA damage and tumour cell death, while atezolizumab reactivates T cells to recognise and attack tumour cells. The combination creates a complementary maintenance option for ES-SCLC following platinum-etoposide induction therapy.
The approval of the atezolizumab-lurbinectedin regimen introduces a new hope for ES-SCLC patients. Roche and Jazz Pharmaceuticals, who co-funded the trial, have shown that this combination therapy can significantly improve survival rates and progression-free survival. The licensing deals between PharmaMar, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Roche have set the stage for this innovative treatment to reach patients in the USA and Canada.
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