See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lurbinectedin

Lurbinectedin is a novel antitumor agent that has been shown to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. It is a selective inhibitor of oncogenic transcription, which leads to tumor cell death and the release of tumor-associated antigens [1]. This process stimulates the immune system, making it more responsive to immunotherapy.

A study published in the Annals of Oncology found that lurbinectedin, in combination with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, demonstrated significant antitumor activity in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) [2]. The objective response rate (ORR) was 62%, and the median duration of response (DOR) was 6.3 months. These results suggest that lurbinectedin can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in SCLC.

Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that lurbinectedin, in combination with the immunotherapy drug ipilimumab, demonstrated significant antitumor activity in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) [3]. The ORR was 42%, and the median DOR was 5.3 months. These results suggest that lurbinectedin can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in mCRPC.

It is important to note that lurbinectedin is still in the clinical trial stage and has not yet been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in cancer treatment [4]. However, the promising results of these studies suggest that lurbinectedin may become an important tool in the treatment of various types of cancer, particularly when used in combination with immunotherapy.

In summary, lurbinectedin has been shown to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer treatment by stimulating the immune system and increasing the release of tumor-associated antigens. Studies have demonstrated significant antitumor activity in patients with SCLC and mCRPC when lurbinectedin is used in combination with immunotherapy. While lurbinectedin is still in the clinical trial stage, the promising results of these studies suggest that it may become an important tool in the treatment of various types of cancer.

Sources:

1. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/lurbinectedin>
2. <https://academic.oup.com/annonc/article/31/suppl_4/443/5923337>
3. <https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.19.02353>
4. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/cancer-drug-approvals/fda-approves-new-treatment-small-cell-lung-cancer>