Ivonescimab Beats Tislelizumab on Survival in Squamous Lung Cancer

This trial provides the first phase 3 overall survival evidence that a programmed death 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (PD1–VEGF) bispecific antibody plus chemotherapy outperforms an established anti-PD-1 plus chemotherapy regimen in first-line advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

ivonescimabtislelizumabPD1-VEGF bispecific antibodyPD-1 inhibitorcarboplatinpaclitaxelsquamous non-small-cell lung cancerNSCLCfirst-line therapyoverall survivalphase 3 trialimmunotherapyangiogenesis inhibitor Oncology Pharmacy

Background Information

Ivonescimab enhances survival in squamous NSCLC, offering new hope.

Advancements in first-line treatment for advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are crucial to improve patient survival. Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy significantly prolonged overall survival to 27.9 months compared to 23.7 months with tislelizumab plus chemotherapy. The study suggests ivonescimab could be a superior first-line treatment option, though higher adverse event rates necessitate careful consideration. Ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy offers improved survival in advanced squamous NSCLC but with increased adverse events.

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Authors: Lu S, Liu B, Luo Y, Sun L, Wu L, Han Z, Fan Y, Zhao Y, Li X, Xu H, Meng X, Liu Y, Zhang Z, Luo H, Ma X, Ma X, Shi Q, Zhang Z, Yang R, Wang P, Pan P, Ai X, Li J, Pu X, Wang Z, Fang J, He M, He Y, Guo S, Li J, Wang H, Zhang J, Chu Q, Liu X, Ying S, Wu H, Sun H, Ji Y, Zhou M, Cao C, Tang K, Li Z, Li D, Zhang Z, Li J, Zhou J, Yang H, Du Y, Yang H, Shi J, Chen H, Chen Z, Li W, Lu D, Hu M, Wang ZM, Li B, Xia MY

Citation: Lu S, Liu B, Luo Y, et al. Ivonescimab plus chemotherapy versus tislelizumab plus chemotherapy in advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (HARMONi-6): interim overall survival analysis of a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial in China. Lancet (London, England). 2026;407(10548):2620-2629. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00966-9

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI

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Executive Summary

Study Design

Patient Population

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes & Safety Profile

Pharmacist Implications

Clinical Pearls

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