Martin Forster, MD, a medical oncologist, University College London Hospitals, discusses the next steps with the investigational agent lurbinectedin in combination with doxorubicin as a second-line therapy for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

In a multicenter, phase Ib, 3+3 dose-escalation study, data presented at the 2018 World Conference on Lung Cancer showed longer follow-up from a data set looking at the progression-free and overall survival of lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin. The preliminary data from this early-phase trial led to the development of the phase III ATLANTIS study, which is now closed to recruitment. The study is investigating lurbinectedin with doxorubicin versus investigator’s choice of either cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine or topotecan. Results are anticipated sometime in early 2019, Forster says.

The world of clinical trials and management of lung cancer is rapidly changing with the evolving role of immunotherapy, making the development of other agents quite difficult, he adds. This is especially true since the standard of care continues to change. A challenge is setting the role of lurbinectedin in these changing standards. However, the role of immunotherapy has been less promising in the second-line setting, he concludes. Therefore, this could position lurbinectedin nicely in the second-line setting.

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Dr. Forster on Next Steps With Lurbinectedin in SCLC

Martin Forster, MD, a medical oncologist, University College London Hospitals, discusses data of lurbinectedin (Zepsyre; PM1183) plus doxorubicin as a second-line therapy for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Lurbinectedin is a novel agent designed to have activity in patients with platinum-resistant cancers, including SCLC, explains Forster. In August 2018, the drug was granted an orphan drug designation by the FDA to treat patients with SCLC. It is known that anthracyclines such as doxorubicin, also have activity in this patient population. Therefore, the addition of lurbinectedin, which has relatively non-overlapping toxicities with doxorubicin, would enhance the benefit of the anthracycline.

Thus far, data with the combination have demonstrated encouraging response rates with a good tolerability profile. The dose has been modified from the recommended phase II dose, and is now slightly reduced, which has led to it being more compatible with safe delivery and activity. Efficacy has been reported in patients with relapsed disease after first-line therapy who have both platinum-sensitive and -resistant disease.

Martin Forster, MD, a medical oncologist, University College London Hospitals, discusses data of lurbinectedin plus doxorubicin as a second-line therapy for patients with small cell lung cancer.

Dr. Forster on Recent Data With Lurbinectedin in SCLC

Martin Forster, MD, medical oncologist, University College London Hospitals, discusses the ATLANTIS study in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

The ongoing ATLANTIS trial is investigating lurbinectedin (PM01183) plus doxorubicin versus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine or topotecan in patients with SCLC.

Initial responses have been seen with lurbinectedin as a single agent in patients with platinum-sensitive patients.

Martin Forster, MD, medical oncologist, University College London Hospitals, discusses the ATLANTIS study in small-cell lung cancer.

Martin Forster, MD

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Dr. Forster on Next Steps With Lurbinectedin in SCLC

Dr. Forster on Recent Data With Lurbinectedin in SCLC

Dr. Forster Discusses the ATLANTIS Study in Small-Cell Lung Cancer