Interim results from the LINNOVATE study suggest that a combination of lurbinectedin (Zepzelca), ipilimumab (Yervoy), and nivolumab (Opdivo) is highly effective in advanced soft tissue sarcoma. Early data show nearly all patients achieved disease control, with untreated patients seeing some complete or partial responses.
The treatment was generally manageable, though 42% of patients experienced severe side effects, mainly blood-related issues like low white blood cells and neutrophils, along with fatigue, anemia, and flu-like symptoms. No unexpected or fatal toxicities were reported.
The study, ongoing with primary completion expected in June 2026, uses lurbinectedin every three weeks, nivolumab every two weeks, and ipilimumab every 12 weeks. Researchers hope these results support further testing of this triplet as a potential new first-line therapy for advanced sarcoma.