Amgen's Imdelltra-Imfinzi combo cuts death risk 58% in lung cancer trial

· Health · Spain · United States

At the ESMO congress in Madrid, Amgen reported Phase 3 results showing its Imdelltra combined with AstraZeneca's Imfinzi cut the risk of death by 58% versus Imfinzi alone in the first-line maintenance setting for certain small cell lung cancer patients. The data, described as breezing past a benchmark set by earlier studies, were among the most closely watched readouts on the meeting's Saturday program. Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive disease with limited treatment options, and maintenance therapy after initial chemotherapy is a key battleground for drugmakers. The result strengthens the case for combining bispecific T cell engagers with checkpoint inhibitors, and positions Amgen in a competitive field where AstraZeneca and others are also testing new regimens.

Why it matters：The readout validates combining bispecific T cell engagers with checkpoint inhibitors, a fast-moving area of oncology where several companies are racing to reset treatment standards for a hard-to-treat cancer.

Key points

  • The trial compared Imdelltra plus Imfinzi against Imfinzi alone in first-line maintenance.
  • The 58% reduction in risk of death beat the benchmark set by prior studies, per Endpoints News.
  • The data were presented during the five-day ESMO congress in Madrid, which drew an estimated 40,000 delegates.

Sources (original reporting)

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