The FDA recently granted accelerated approval to tarlatamab (Imdelltra) for some individuals with small cell lung cancer, the most aggressive form of lung cancer. Learn more: https://go.nih.gov/ND04aus Media Description: Tarlatamab is a bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE), a two-armed drug that simultaneously latches onto tumor cells and T cells, bringing them close together and helping the T cells recognize and destroy cancer cells. Credit: Adapted and used with permission from Amgen.
Apparently here the T cells are supposed to kill the cancer cells by releasing strong cytokines which occurs following recognizing an Ag on cancer cells (TCR-mediated recognition which should work in the context of MHC molecules, so it must be assumed that tumor cells will express the right MHC class). I have one small question: how would this overcome checkpoint /checkpoint ligand binding between T cells and tumor cells which can inhibit T cells? most cancer cells will upregulate the ligands for inhibitory check point molecules on T cells or NK cells. And I guess potential for immune hyperstimulation (cytokine storm) should also be considered
Can we treat CAR-T cells in culture with Tarlatamab before injecting them into patients for improved targeting of cancer cells?
Very interesting to see T cell engager moving forward in oncology therapeutics
Wow great news - Congratulations, it was pleasure and honour to be part of the phase 1/FIH study. Well done 1st team 👏👏👏👏
Very promising
Wow!
Insightful
Very helpful! Extremely useful!
An inspiring step forward in oncology with tarlatamab’s approval! At CRK Clinical Research Key (CRO), we are proud to contribute to advancing clinical research and supporting innovations like this that transform patient care.