Curie Brief
Turn on cookies to sign in
Signing in saves your progress to your Curie account. We can only do that with cookies on — turn them on to continue.
NewsA pair of phase 3 trials showed that two B7-H3-targeting antibody-drug conjugates — tambotatug pelitecan and risvutatug rezetecan — each cut the risk of death by 54% compared to standard chemotherapy (topotecan) in relapsed small cell lung cancer. Both drugs also dramatically improved progression-free survival and response rates, with a more favorable safety profile than topotecan. Experts say a new treatment standard is emerging for this notoriously difficult cancer.
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has long been one of oncology's toughest challenges, with limited second-line options and poor survival outcomes. That may be about to change. Two phase 3 trials presented at the World Conference on Lung Cancer 2026 in Seoul showed that B7-H3-targeting antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) — tambotatug pelitecan (Tam-Peli) and risvutatug rezetecan (Ris-Rez) — each delivered a 54% reduction in the risk of death compared to topotecan, the current standard second-line therapy.
B7-H3 is a tumor-associated antigen highly expressed on SCLC cells but with relatively low presence in healthy tissue, making it an attractive drug target. Both ADCs also showed markedly higher tumor response rates and longer progression-free survival, while causing fewer severe side effects than topotecan — though interstitial lung disease (ILD) was more common with the ADCs and remains a key toxicity to monitor.
By the Numbers
Why it matters: With a third B7-H3 ADC (ifinatamab deruxtecan) already under FDA priority review for extensive-stage SCLC, the relapsed SCLC treatment landscape is shifting rapidly. Experts predict ADCs could become the new second-line standard of care — and may even challenge chemotherapy in the front-line setting within the next few years.
