Amgen's Imdelltra regimen halves risk of death in Phase 3 lung cancer trial

Researchers presented data at the ESMO 2026 congress in Madrid showing that Amgen’s Imdelltra, combined with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi, reduced the risk of death by 58% compared with Imfinzi alone. The result came from a Phase 3 trial testing the combination as first-line maintenance therapy in certain patients with small cell lung cancer.

According to Endpoints News, the 58% figure exceeded the benchmark that had been set for the trial. The report did not specify the trial’s name, patient population size, or the statistical benchmark in further detail beyond noting that the combination surpassed it.

Small cell lung cancer is widely regarded as difficult to treat, with most patients relapsing after initial response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Imfinzi, AstraZeneca’s PD-L1 inhibitor, is already used in the maintenance setting for this disease following first-line treatment. Imdelltra is an Amgen-developed drug that was paired with Imfinzi in the trial reported at ESMO.

The companies’ full data presentation, including survival curves, patient numbers, and secondary endpoints, was not detailed in the available summary. Endpoints News attributed the findings to the Phase 3 trial results disclosed at the Madrid congress, part of the broader slate of oncology readouts presented at ESMO this year.

No information was provided on regulatory next steps, other trial sites, or additional commentary from investigators or the companies involved.