Lurbinectedin is a new drug that has been shown to have antitumor activity against various cancers, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and ovarian cancer. The drug works by inhibiting RNA polymerase II, which is essential for the transcription of DNA into RNA. This mechanism of action makes it a potential candidate for combination therapy with immunotherapy, which has shown promising results in treating various cancers.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology [2] evaluated the combination of lurbinectedin and pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, in patients with SCLC. The study found that the combination therapy was well-tolerated and had promising antitumor activity. The overall response rate was 42%, and the median progression-free survival was 4.2 months. These results suggest that the combination of lurbinectedin and immunotherapy may be an effective treatment option for SCLC.

Another ongoing clinical trial [3] is evaluating the combination of lurbinectedin and nivolumab, another immune checkpoint inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors. The trial is currently recruiting participants, and the estimated completion date is December 2022.

In conclusion, the combination of lurbinectedin and immunotherapy has shown promising results in treating various cancers, including SCLC. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal combination and dosing regimen for this therapy.

Sources:
[2] https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.8581
[3] https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04358237
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LURBINECTEDIN