Tarlatamab (Imdelltra®) Offers Hope When Treatment for Small-Cell Lung Cancer Stops Working | Duke Health
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
Tarlatamab (Imdelltra®) Offers Hope When Treatment for Small-Cell Lung Cancer Stops Working | Duke Health
Skip Navigation
Duke Header Image Link
Schedule with My Duke Health (MyChart)
As a returning patient for this doctor, please schedule an appointment using your My Duke Health (MyChart) account.
Sign In to My Duke Health (MyChart)
Don't have a My Duke Health (MyChart) account?
Sign up now
Account Help
If you have trouble logging in, have questions about how to use My Duke Health (MyChart), need more information about
your account, or need to contact customer service, please
view our FAQs
.
Home
Blog
Cancer Care Articles
New Appointments within 48 Hours
Call us at
866-779-0395
A new type of immunotherapy is giving hope to people with advanced small cell lung cancer when chemotherapy and other immunotherapies are no longer effective. While not a cure,
clinical trials have shown that tarlatamab can help people live longer with fewer side effects
. “Tarlatamab has been a significant step forward in treating advanced small cell lung cancer,” says Duke thoracic medical oncologist
Cameron Oswalt, MD.
How Tarlatamab Works
Given through an IV in a hospital or an outpatient clinic, tarlatamab is a type of BiTE (bispecific T-cell engager) therapy. BiTE therapy drugs act like bridges between important immune cells called T-cells and tumor cells. They bring these cells together and prompt the T-cells to attack the tumor cells.
“Tarlatamab has been a significant step forward in managing advanced small cell lung cancer."
Cameron Oswalt, MD
Facebook
Twitter
Side Effects of Tarlatamab
According to Dr. Oswalt, there are two side effects of special interest with tarlatamab. The first is CRS or cytokine release syndrome, which is characterized by fevers, low blood pressure, and trouble breathing. The second is ICANS, or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. ICANS symptoms can range from mild neurologic changes like confusion to more severe symptoms like lethargy, stupor, and seizures. “Typically, these side effects occur with earlier cycles of tarlatamab,” said Dr. Oswalt. “We have strategies to treat both CRS and ICANS, and that’s why it’s important to watch you in the hospital with the first few treatments -- if either happens, we want to be able to act quickly.”
Seek Out a Cancer Center with Expertise in Administering Tarlatamab
According to Dr. Oswalt, tarlatamab “requires expertise to administer properly and to handle potential side effects. Here at Duke, we’ve treated a large number of patients with the therapy, and we are very familiar with the treatment and with what it takes to manage side effects.” Dr. Oswalt added that Duke was also involved in early tarlatamab clinical trials and continues to conduct research into the drug and its side effects.
It’s also important to receive treatment at a center with a team-based approach. In addition to oncologists, Duke providers include nurses trained in protocols for how to manage side effects, pharmacists who dose supportive medications, and administrative and financial staff to make sure insurance covers the treatment.
Learn More About
Small Cell Lung Cancer
SHARE:
Facebook
Twitter
Featured Doctors
Featured Doctors Images
Cameron Oswalt, MD
Medical Oncologist
Related Doctors
You May Also Be Interested In...
Patient-Centered Care for Metastatic Lung Cancer Yields...
Roger Parker, 55, was diagnosed with stage IV small cell lung cancer in February 2024. Following treatment at Duke Cancer Center, including a medication that was just approved by the FDA last year, he’s doing well. “The whole staff at Duke has been great,” he said. “They’re very on top of their game.”
Read Article
Duke Skull Base Surgeons Diagnose and Treat Rare Cause of...
Read Article
Louisiana Man Receives Life-Saving Heart and Liver Transplants...
Read Article
Spinal Cord Stimulation Relieves Rare, Agonizing Facial Pain
Read Article
Featured Doctors
Featured Doctors Images
Cameron Oswalt, MD
Medical Oncologist
Related Doctors
Back to Top
Support Duke Health research or honor a loved one with a tribute gift.
Giving to Duke Health
Skip Navigation
Duke Header Image Link
Schedule with My Duke Health (MyChart)
As a returning patient for this doctor, please schedule an appointment using your My Duke Health (MyChart) account.
Sign In to My Duke Health (MyChart)
Don't have a My Duke Health (MyChart) account?
Sign up now
Account Help
If you have trouble logging in, have questions about how to use My Duke Health (MyChart), need more information about
your account, or need to contact customer service, please
view our FAQs
.
Home
Blog
Cancer Care Articles
New Appointments within 48 Hours
Call us at
866-779-0395
A new type of immunotherapy is giving hope to people with advanced small cell lung cancer when chemotherapy and other immunotherapies are no longer effective. While not a cure,
clinical trials have shown that tarlatamab can help people live longer with fewer side effects
. “Tarlatamab has been a significant step forward in treating advanced small cell lung cancer,” says Duke thoracic medical oncologist
Cameron Oswalt, MD.
How Tarlatamab Works
Given through an IV in a hospital or an outpatient clinic, tarlatamab is a type of BiTE (bispecific T-cell engager) therapy. BiTE therapy drugs act like bridges between important immune cells called T-cells and tumor cells. They bring these cells together and prompt the T-cells to attack the tumor cells.
“Tarlatamab has been a significant step forward in managing advanced small cell lung cancer."
Cameron Oswalt, MD
Side Effects of Tarlatamab
According to Dr. Oswalt, there are two side effects of special interest with tarlatamab. The first is CRS or cytokine release syndrome, which is characterized by fevers, low blood pressure, and trouble breathing. The second is ICANS, or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. ICANS symptoms can range from mild neurologic changes like confusion to more severe symptoms like lethargy, stupor, and seizures. “Typically, these side effects occur with earlier cycles of tarlatamab,” said Dr. Oswalt. “We have strategies to treat both CRS and ICANS, and that’s why it’s important to watch you in the hospital with the first few treatments -- if either happens, we want to be able to act quickly.”
Seek Out a Cancer Center with Expertise in Administering Tarlatamab
According to Dr. Oswalt, tarlatamab “requires expertise to administer properly and to handle potential side effects. Here at Duke, we’ve treated a large number of patients with the therapy, and we are very familiar with the treatment and with what it takes to manage side effects.” Dr. Oswalt added that Duke was also involved in early tarlatamab clinical trials and continues to conduct research into the drug and its side effects.
It’s also important to receive treatment at a center with a team-based approach. In addition to oncologists, Duke providers include nurses trained in protocols for how to manage side effects, pharmacists who dose supportive medications, and administrative and financial staff to make sure insurance covers the treatment.
Learn More About
Small Cell Lung Cancer
SHARE:
Featured Doctors
Featured Doctors Images
Cameron Oswalt, MD
Medical Oncologist
Related Doctors
You May Also Be Interested In...
Patient-Centered Care for Metastatic Lung Cancer Yields...
Roger Parker, 55, was diagnosed with stage IV small cell lung cancer in February 2024. Following treatment at Duke Cancer Center, including a medication that was just approved by the FDA last year, he’s doing well. “The whole staff at Duke has been great,” he said. “They’re very on top of their game.”
Read Article
Duke Skull Base Surgeons Diagnose and Treat Rare Cause of...
Read Article
Louisiana Man Receives Life-Saving Heart and Liver Transplants...
Read Article
Spinal Cord Stimulation Relieves Rare, Agonizing Facial Pain
Read Article
Featured Doctors
Featured Doctors Images
Cameron Oswalt, MD
Medical Oncologist
Related Doctors
Back to Top
Support Duke Health research or honor a loved one with a tribute gift.
Giving to Duke Health