A recent late-stage trial revealed that the combination of Amgen's immunotherapy Imdelltra with AstraZeneca's Imfinzi significantly improves survival rates for patients suffering from extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.
The trial demonstrated that this combination therapy reduced the risk of death by 58%, extending median overall survival to 21.1 months compared to 12.7 months for those receiving only Imfinzi. This finding is particularly important as small cell lung cancer is known for its aggressive nature and high recurrence rates. Dr.
Paul Burton, Amgen's chief medical officer, emphasized the transformative potential of these results, suggesting that this combination could change the standard of care for this challenging disease. The trial also indicated that nearly 80% of patients on the combination therapy were alive after one year, compared to 53% for those on Imfinzi alone.
The promising results could lead to Imdelltra being used earlier in treatment protocols, potentially altering disease progression significantly. With Imdelltra's sales already showing substantial growth, reaching $288 million in the second quarter of 2026, the drug is on track to become a blockbuster.
The findings were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress, highlighting the potential for Imdelltra to serve as a critical component in the treatment of small cell lung cancer, which affects approximately 31,000 new patients annually in the U.S