Dr. Rudin on Rova-T in Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer

Charles M. Rudin, MD, medical oncologist, chief, Thoracic Oncology Service, co-director, Druckenmiller Center for Lung Cancer Research, Sylvia Hassenfeld Chair in Lung Cancer Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the safety and efficacy of single-agent rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T) in patients with recurrent or refractory small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

This is the first-in-human, phase I clinical trial examining the novel antibody-drug conjugate targeted at DLL3, which is often expressed in SCLC cells, Rudin explains. Once the complex is internalized and released, it binds to the patient’s DNA and leads to cell death.

Results of the trial showed that the agent was safe and appropriate doses were determined for patients. Encouraging findings were also found regarding efficacy, Rudin adds.