Tarlatamab at a glance
Medicine class
Bispecific DLL3-directed CD3 T-cell engager
Usual use
Small cell lung cancer that has progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy
Administration
Intravenous infusion given by a qualified healthcare professional
Key safety risks
Cytokine release syndrome and neurological toxicity, including ICANS
Safety monitoring
Subject to additional monitoring for new safety information
What is Tarlatamab used for?
UK licensed use:
Adults with small cell lung cancer that has progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
How does Tarlatamab work?
Tarlatamab attaches to DLL3 on tumour cells and CD3 on T cells. Bringing them together activates T cells to release inflammatory signals and cell-killing proteins that destroy DLL3-positive tumour cells.
Tarlatamab preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 1 mg, 10 mg
How to take Tarlatamab
A trained healthcare professional prepares tarlatamab and gives it into a vein where serious immune reactions can be managed. Preventive medicines, fluids and observation may be needed. Follow instructions about hydration, monitoring, staying near the treatment centre and caregiver availability, and keep the patient alert card with you.
It is not taken by mouth, so food does not affect administration.
Report new symptoms during or after an infusion immediately.
Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery if dizziness, confusion, seizures or other neurological symptoms occur.
Tarlatamab side effects
Common or expected effects
- Cytokine release syndrome, potentially causing fever, chills, nausea, headache, low blood pressure or breathing difficulty
- Reduced appetite or altered taste
- Constipation or nausea
- Tiredness, weakness or fever
- Anaemia or reduced white blood cell counts
- Low blood sodium
- Headache, breathlessness or weight loss
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever with low blood pressure, breathing difficulty, low oxygen or a fast heartbeat—possible cytokine release syndrome
- Confusion, speech or memory problems, unusual sleepiness, tremor, poor coordination, weakness or seizures—possible ICANS or other neurological toxicity
- Fever or chills with low white blood cells—possible serious infection
- Rash, wheeze or difficulty breathing—possible severe hypersensitivity
- Unusual bruising, bleeding, marked weakness or jaundice—possible blood-count or liver complications
Tarlatamab in pregnancy
There are no adequate pregnancy data, and harm to a fetus is possible. Tell the oncology team if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or become pregnant during treatment. Effective contraception is advised during treatment and for the period specified by the specialist afterwards.
Tarlatamab while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether tarlatamab enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. Breastfeeding is not advised during treatment and for the period specified afterwards; discuss feeding options with the oncology team.
Tarlatamab interactions
Formal interaction studies have not been performed. Cytokine release after starting tarlatamab may temporarily suppress CYP450 enzymes and increase exposure to some medicines.
Sirolimus, tacrolimus and other narrow-therapeutic-index CYP450 substrates
Blood concentrations and adverse effects may increase. Clinical assessment, concentration monitoring and adjustment of the interacting medicine may be required.
Common questions about Tarlatamab
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is tarlatamab used for?
Adults with small cell lung cancer that has progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy.
Is tarlatamab chemotherapy?
No. It is a bispecific T-cell engager that redirects immune T cells towards DLL3-positive cancer cells.
What is cytokine release syndrome?
An inflammatory immune reaction that can cause fever, low blood pressure, low oxygen, breathing difficulty, headache, chills, nausea or vomiting. It can be serious and needs prompt assessment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.