Single-center phase 2 trial of sintilimab plus anlotinib for previously treated extensive disease small cell lung cancer

Patients with extensive disease small cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC) progressing on first-line platinum based chemotherapy have limited treatment options. A phase 2 trial at Zhengzhou University (China) evaluated the combination of sintilimab (anti-PD-1) and anlotinib (anti-VEGFR) in this setting. The objective response rate was 56.8% (95% CI 40.0-73.5) and the disease control rate was 89.2% (78.7-99.7). Median progression-free survival was 6.1 months (95% CI 5.0-7.3) and median overall survival was 12.7 months (7.1-18.2). Treatment-related adverse events were seen in 95% of patients, immune-related adverse events in 93%, and grade 3 or higher irAEs in 26%. The authors conclude that the combination of sintilimab and anlotinib had promising antitumor activity and manageable safety among patients with ED-SCLC.