Do bispecific antibodies or CAR T-cell therapy treat advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer?
Advanced small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive cancer that often returns after initial treatment. Researchers are testing newer immune-based therapies, including bispecific antibodies and CAR T-cell therapy, to find better options. Bispecific antibodies are lab-made proteins that can attach to both a cancer cell and an immune cell, helping the immune system attack the cancer. CAR T-cell therapy involves taking a patient's own immune cells, modifying them in a lab to better recognize cancer, and infusing them back. Both approaches are being studied for SCLC, but they are at different stages of development.
What the research says
A 2023 review highlights that delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) is a promising target in SCLC because it is found on the surface of most SCLC cells but not on normal cells 9. Several DLL3-targeted therapies are in development, including bispecific T-cell engagers (a type of bispecific antibody) and CAR T-cell therapies 89. The bispecific antibody tarlatamab (formerly AMG 757) has shown encouraging results in clinical trials, and other bispecifics like BI 764532 and HPN328 are also being tested 9. A 2020 study in mice found that a DLL3-targeted bispecific antibody combined with a PD-1 inhibitor (a type of immunotherapy) effectively suppressed SCLC tumor growth 10. CAR T-cell therapy targeting DLL3 (AMG 119) is also in early clinical development, but it faces challenges such as limited T-cell persistence and the suppressive tumor environment 49. Overall, bispecific antibodies have advanced further in clinical testing for SCLC, while CAR T-cell therapy is still in earlier stages 49.
What to ask your doctor
- Are there any clinical trials for bispecific antibodies like tarlatamab that I might be eligible for?
- What are the known side effects of bispecific antibody therapy for SCLC?
- Is CAR T-cell therapy available for SCLC at any major cancer centers, and what are the risks?
- How does my DLL3 expression status affect my treatment options?
- Would combining a bispecific antibody with standard immunotherapy be an option for me?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about this topic and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.