Lurbinectedin is a synthetic molecule that has been shown to have antitumor activity against various types of cancer. It works by inhibiting the transcription process of cancer cells, which leads to their death. Immunotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight cancer. There is evidence to suggest that combining lurbinectedin with immunotherapy may enhance the response to treatment.

A study published in Frontiers in Oncology [3] investigated the combination of lurbinectedin with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in preclinical models of cancer. The study found that the combination of lurbinectedin and ICIs resulted in enhanced antitumor activity compared to either treatment alone. The researchers also observed an increase in the infiltration of immune cells into the tumor microenvironment, which is a key factor in the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology [2] investigated the combination of lurbinectedin with pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors. The study found that the combination was well-tolerated and resulted in a disease control rate of 61%. The researchers also observed an increase in the number of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, which is consistent with the preclinical findings.

Furthermore, the Drug Patent Watch [1] website provides information on the patent status of lurbinectedin, which is currently owned by PharmaMar. The patent for lurbinectedin is set to expire in 2034, indicating that there is still significant interest in the drug for potential cancer treatments.

In conclusion, the combination of lurbinectedin with immunotherapy has shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies. The combination has been found to enhance antitumor activity and increase the infiltration of immune cells into the tumor microenvironment. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal dosing and scheduling of the combination therapy and to identify the patient populations that may benefit the most from this approach.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LURBINECTEDIN
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8165873/
[3] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2023.1142081/full