AstraZeneca and Amgen have shared phase 3 results for Imfinzi plus Imdelltra in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). The DeLLphi-305 phase 3 trial showed AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus Amgen’s Imdelltra (tarlatamab) demonstrated a statistically significant and highly clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival (OS) versus Imfinzi alone as a first-line maintenance treatment.

In 2026, an estimated 195,000 people globally will be treated for ES-SCLC, a highly aggressive, fast-growing form of lung cancer characterised by rapid tumour progression and metastatic spread to organs such as the brain and liver. Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as Imfinzi have led to significant improvements in OS in ES-SCLC, establishing a first-line standard of care. However, many patients still experience disease progression due to the aggressive nature of the disease and median OS with the current standard of care is approximately one year.

The trial included patients with ES-SCLC who had not progressed following standard induction treatment with Imfinzi in combination with platinum chemotherapy (either carboplatin or cisplatin) and etoposide.

Imfinzi plus tarlatamab also demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published Final Draft Guidance recommending Johnson & Johnson (J&J)’s Darzalex (daratumumab) plus bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (D-VRd) followed by daratumumab plus lenalidomide maintenance treatment for previously untreated multiple myeloma in adults when an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is suitable.

NICE’s guidance states that D-VRd can be used for people who have received daratumumab plus bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone induction and consolidation treatment and who have not yet started maintenance treatment, expanding the eligible pool of patients. Importantly, NICE has also recommended an innovative minimal residual disease (MRD)-guided approach to treatment.

Around 33,000 people in the UK are currently living with multiple myeloma, an incurable type of blood cancer. As a relapsing-remitting condition, myeloma becomes more resistant to treatment over time. With every relapse, each line of treatment is less effective than the last, making it vital that patients receive the most effective therapy at first-line when they are most likely to benefit. The disease carries a large psychological impact because of the constant possibility of relapse.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Pharma Mar’s Zepzelca (lurbinectedin) to treat adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

The treatment is in combination with atezolizumab as maintenance treatment in adults whose cancer has not progressed following first-line induction therapy with atezolizumab, carboplatin and etoposide. The treatment is given as an intravenous infusion over one hour. The recommended dose is administered once every 21 days.

Lurbinectedin works by attaching to DNA inside cancer cells. This damages the DNA and interferes with the growth and multiplication of cancer cells, leading to cancer cell death. It also reduces the activity of certain immune cells that help tumours grow.

The approval was based on a main study involving 483 adults with extensive-stage SCLC. Patients receiving lurbinectedin in combination with atezolizumab as maintenance treatment lived for an average of 13.2 months, compared with 10.6 months for those receiving atezolizumab alone. Patients receiving lurbinectedin plus atezolizumab also lived for an average of 5.4 months without their disease getting worse, compared with 2.1 months for those receiving atezolizumab alone.