Dr. Spira on the Evaluation of Tusamitamab Ravtansine Plus Pembrolizumab in NSCLC

Alexander I. Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, research institute director, Thoracic and Phase 1 Trial Program, Virginia Cancer Specialists Research Institute, Virginia Cancer Specialists, clinical assistant professor, Johns Hopkins University, discusses the exploration of the antibody-drug conjugate tusamitamab ravtansine (SAR408701) with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The phase 2 CARMEN-LC05 trial (NCT04524689) is evaluating tusamitamab ravtansine plus pembrolizumab with or without platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with CEACAM5-positive NSCLC.

This trial produced notable response rates in patients with CEACAM5-positive NSCLC, and using CEACAM5 as a target for treating NSCLC is an exciting concept, Spira says. However, a challenge with the study is that patients need to be screened, and it takes time to conduct those tests and wait for results, Spira explains.

Despite the challenges, tusamitamab ravtansine/pembrolizumab–based combinations have shown promising response rates in the second-line setting and beyond during the trial, Spira continues, adding that the regimen is now being studied in the frontline. In the future, it is hoped a better blood-based biomarker can be used to determine candidates for this treatment, Spira concludes.