FDA D.I.S.C.O. Burst Edition: FDA approval of Imjudo (tremelimumab) in combination with Imfinzi (durvalumab) and platinum-based chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Podcast Welcome back to the D.I.S.C.O., FDA’s Drug Information Soundcast in Clinical Oncology, Burst Edition, brought to you by FDA’s Division of Drug Information in partnership with FDA’s Oncology Center of Excellence. Today we’ll provide another quick update on a recent FDA cancer drug approval. On November 10, 2022, the FDA approved tremelimumab (brand name Imjudo) in combination with durvalumab (brand name Imfinzi) and platinum-based chemotherapy for adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with no sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor mutation or anaplastic lymphoma kinase genomic tumor aberrations. Efficacy was evaluated in POSEIDON, a randomized 1:1:1, multicenter, active-controlled, open-label study in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who had not received prior systemic treatment. The major efficacy outcome measures were progression-free survival assessed using blinded independent central review according to RECIST v1.1 and overall survival. Tremelimumab plus durvalumab and platinum-based chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival compared to platinum-based chemotherapy; median overall survival was 14 months and 11.7 months in the treatment arms 1 and 3, respectively. Median progression-free survival was 6.2 months and 4.8 months in the treatment arms, respectively. Overall response rate was 39% and 24% in the treatment arms 1 and 3, respectively. Median duration of response was 9.5 months and 5.1 months in the two treatment arms. The most common adverse reactions occurring in more than 20% of patients were nausea, fatigue, decreased appetite, musculoskeletal pain, rash, and diarrhea. Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities were neutropenia, anemia, leukopenia, lymphocytopenia, lipase increased, hyponatremia, and thrombocytopenia. This review used the Assessment Aid, a voluntary submission from the applicant to facilitate the FDA’s assessment. Full prescribing information for these approvals can be found at www.fda.gov/drugsatFDA. Health care professionals should report serious adverse events to FDA’s MedWatch Reporting Program at www.fda.gov/medwatch.