Amgen’s Imdelltra Extends Survival in Small Cell Lung Cancer Trial

Amgen’s ‘Imdelltra (tarlatamab)’ has shown groundbreaking results in treating small cell lung cancer (SCLC), according to Phase 3 DeLLphi-304 trial results presented at a press conference in Korea. Professor Ahn Myung-ju of Hanyang University described the findings as ‘highly significant,’ noting an improvement in overall survival to 13.6 months, a major leap from previous treatment standards.

Imdelltra, a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) antibody, targets ‘DLL3’ on cancer cells and ‘CD3’ on T cells, activating an immune response against SCLC. The trial involved 509 adults whose disease progressed after platinum-based chemotherapy, with Asian patients making up 40.1% of participants. The study found that Imdelltra reduced the risk of death by 40% compared to chemotherapy, with a median overall survival of 13.6 months versus 8.3 months for chemotherapy.

Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive form of lung cancer with a poor prognosis, particularly in extensive-stage cases where survival beyond 10 months is rare. Professor Ahn emphasized that the trial included many patients with poor prognoses, including those with brain metastases, making the results even more remarkable. The study also reported improvements in patient-reported outcomes, such as reduced shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain.

Imdelltra was first approved in Korea in May 2024 for third-line or later treatment of extensive-stage SCLC and later expanded to include second-line treatment. The trial’s success marks a significant advancement in treating a disease that has seen limited progress in the past 30 years, offering new hope for patients with relapsed or refractory SCLC.