The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reported on 23 September 2026 that it had approved lurbinectedin (Zepzelca) for adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. The approval covered use in combination with atezolizumab as maintenance treatment for patients whose cancer had not progressed following first-line induction therapy with atezolizumab, carboplatin and etoposide.

According to the regulator, the decision drew on a main study of 483 adults with extensive-stage disease. It reported average survival of 13.2 months for those given lurbinectedin plus atezolizumab, compared with 10.6 months for atezolizumab alone, and 5.4 months without disease worsening versus 2.1 months. Lurbinectedin is given as a one-hour intravenous infusion once every 21 days, started and supervised in a hospital or clinic. Commonly reported side effects included nausea, fatigue, anaemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia.

The marketing authorisation was granted to Pharma Mar, S.A. Julian Beach, MHRA Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said the approval offered a new option for this patient group and that the agency would continue monitoring safety through the UK Yellow Card scheme.