Breakthrough lung cancer treatment slashes progression risk by 65% in trials

A new drug combination has shown promising results in treating advanced lung cancer. The treatment pairs sac-TMT, an antibody-drug conjugate, with Keytruda, significantly improving patient outcomes compared to Keytruda alone. Early trial data suggests a major step forward in first-line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The OptiTROP-Lung05 Phase 3 study tested sac-TMT plus Keytruda against Keytruda monotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. Results revealed a 65% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death for those receiving the combination. Response rates also climbed to 70.2%, compared to just 42% with Keytruda alone.

Sac-TMT, developed by Kelun-Biotech, targets TROP2, a protein found on cancer cells, delivering chemotherapy directly to tumours. Merck secured global licensing rights for the drug outside Greater China in 2022. It has already gained approval in China for late-stage NSCLC and other cancers, including breast and gastrointestinal malignancies. Despite the benefits, side effects were more common with the combination. Around 55% of patients experienced severe treatment-related issues, compared to 31% in the monotherapy group. Merck’s share price rose by roughly 4% in after-hours trading following the announcement. Full trial details will be presented at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting. Meanwhile, Chinese regulators are fast-tracking a review for first-line NSCLC approval.

The sac-TMT and Keytruda combination has demonstrated a clear advantage in slowing disease progression and improving response rates. With China prioritising its approval and further data expected in 2026, the treatment could soon become a standard option for advanced NSCLC patients. The higher rate of side effects, however, will require careful management in clinical practice.