New Treatment Combo Boosts Survival for Lung Cancer Patients in Asia

A recent study has demonstrated that a combination of RYBREVANT® (amivantamab-vmjw) and LAZCLUZE® (lazertinib) offers significant improvements in overall survival for Asian patients suffering from epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The findings from the Phase 3 MARIPOSA study were presented on December 8, 2025, at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Asia Congress.

The combination treatment stands out as the first chemotherapy-free option in the first-line setting to show superior overall survival compared to osimertinib, a commonly used monotherapy. Preliminary data suggest that the median overall survival for patients receiving amivantamab plus lazertinib has not yet been reached but is expected to exceed four years—more than one year longer than that associated with osimertinib alone.

Significant Findings from the MARIPOSA Study

The MARIPOSA study enrolled 501 participants who self-identified as Asian, a demographic where EGFR mutations are notably prevalent. According to lead trial investigator Dr. Hidetoshi Hayashi, M.D., Ph.D., from Kindai University in Japan, the combination therapy resulted in a 26 percent reduction in the risk of death compared to the osimertinib group. The hazard ratio was calculated at 0.74, with a 95 percent confidence interval of 0.56-0.97.

During a median follow-up of 38.7 months, the median overall survival for the combination therapy was projected to exceed four years, while patients on osimertinib had a median survival of 38.4 months. Notably, survival rates at three years were 61 percent for those receiving the combination treatment, compared to 53 percent for those on osimertinib. This survival advantage persisted at the 42-month mark, with rates of 59 percent versus 46 percent, respectively.

Despite the positive results, approximately 30 percent of patients do not reach second-line therapy, underscoring the importance of effective first-line treatment options. Historically, fewer than 20 percent of patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC survive five years.

A New Hope for Patients

The results of the MARIPOSA study are seen as a significant advancement in treatment for NSCLC, particularly in Asia, where the disease is highly prevalent. Kazuo Hasegawa, Founder of Lung Cancer Patients Network ONE STEP, expressed optimism about these findings, stating, “For patients and families across Asia, where this disease is especially common, seeing survival extend beyond what once seemed possible brings hope for a different future.”

Dr. Anthony Elgamal, Vice President of Oncology at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Asia Pacific, emphasized the importance of targeting the underlying biology of lung cancer. He noted that the combination of amivantamab and lazertinib not only addresses critical EGFR and MET pathways but also engages the immune system, contributing to longer survival rates.

The safety profile of the combination treatment was consistent with previously reported data, with no new safety concerns arising from the study. Common adverse events among participants included rash (18 percent), dermatitis acneiform (9 percent), and paronychia (9 percent). Most side effects were manageable and typically occurred early in treatment.

In summary, the combination of amivantamab and lazertinib has achieved approval in the United States, Europe, and several Asia-Pacific markets for the first-line treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. The MARIPOSA study’s findings are expected to have a lasting impact on treatment standards in lung cancer care, particularly for the significant population of patients in Asia.