At ESMO 2026, Amgen reported Phase 3 DeLLphi-305 results for Imdelltra (tarlatamab) plus AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) as first-line maintenance treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).
The combination reduced the risk of death by 58% versus Imfinzi alone (hazard ratio 0.42; p<0.001). Median overall survival was 21.1 months with the combination versus 12.7 months with Imfinzi alone—an 8.4-month difference.
At one year, about 79% of patients receiving the combination were alive, compared with 53% on Imfinzi alone. The combination also reduced the risk of progression or death by 66%; median progression-free survival was 7.4 versus 1.9 months.
The trial studied patients whose cancer had not progressed after initial treatment with durvalumab, platinum-based chemotherapy, and etoposide. The results were presented at ESMO and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The findings are being described as potentially practice-changing, but the data apply to this specific maintenance setting. Treatment decisions should be made with an oncology team, considering the study’s eligibility criteria, side effects, and regulatory guidance.
Sources:
ESMO 2026: Amgen’s Imdelltra slashes death risk by nearly 60% in small cell lung cancer
ESMO: Amgen's Imdelltra stages Rasonque-like moment in ...
AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi plus Imdelltra extends survival in small cell lung cancer - NLS
Aggressive lung cancer, drug combination reduces risk of death by 58%
ESMO ‘26: A cancer vaccine debate, Roche's KRAS progress and Amgen's ‘unprecedented' data
Amgen says drug combo cuts risk of death by 58% in patients with aggressive lung cancer
IMDELLTRA data points to earlier lung cancer use