AbbVie's ABBV-1480 Posts 90% Response Rate in Frontline NSCLC Combination

AbbVie and partner RemeGen reported phase 1b data showing a 90.0% objective response rate for ABBV-1480 (RC148), an investigational programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) bispecific antibody, combined with platinum-based chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the company announced August 21, 2026 ahead of presentations at the 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC).¹ At the recommended phase 3 dose of 10 mg/kg, the same combination produced a 75.9% objective response rate in non-squamous NSCLC.¹

"Our strategy in lung cancer is focused on building a complementary pipeline that brings together next-generation immunotherapies and targeted antibody-drug conjugates with the potential to address different aspects of tumor biology," said Daejin Abidoye, MD, vice president and therapeutic area head of oncology, solid tumor and hematology, AbbVie, in a company press release.¹

What did the ABBV-1480 data show?

In the phase 1b trial, ABBV-1480 combined with platinum-based chemotherapy produced an objective response rate of 90.0% in squamous NSCLC (27 of 30 patients) and 75.9% in non-squamous NSCLC (22 of 29 patients) at the 10 mg/kg dose identified as the recommended phase 3 dose.¹^,² The most common treatment-related adverse events were decreases in white blood cell, neutrophil, and platelet counts, along with anemia; no grade 3 or higher hemorrhages occurred with the 10 mg/kg combinations.¹ AbbVie said the safety profile supports ongoing phase 3 development, and the company holds exclusive rights from RemeGen to develop, manufacture, and commercialize ABBV-1480 outside Greater China.¹

What updates were shared on telisotuzumab adizutecan (Temab-A)?

AbbVie initiated a phase 1b/2 trial (M24-536; NCT06772623) evaluating a platinum-free combination of Temab-A, an investigational c-Met-directed antibody-drug conjugate paired with a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor payload, and a PD-1 inhibitor as a potential first-line treatment for advanced non-squamous NSCLC, building on earlier activity observed in heavily pretreated patients. The study includes analyses of c-Met and programmed cell death ligand 1 expression intended to identify patients most likely to benefit. Temab-A is also being studied in epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated NSCLC as monotherapy or combined with osimertinib (NCT07155187).¹

What data were revealed about ABBV-706 in SCLC?

ABBV-706, an investigational SEZ6-targeted antibody-drug conjugate, previously demonstrated an objective response rate of 82% in 17 patients with relapsed or refractory small cell lung cancer (SCLC) following platinum-based chemotherapy.¹ In a phase 1 trial, 240 patients received ABBV-706 monotherapy, including 124 with relapsed or refractory SCLC.¹^,³ The most common gastrointestinal adverse events were nausea (35.8%), vomiting (17.5%), and diarrhea (10.8%), mostly low grade, while grade 3 or higher treatment-related pneumonitis or interstitial lung disease occurred in 1.7% of patients and serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in 12.5% of patients; hematologic toxicities, including anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia, were also among the most common treatment-related adverse events.¹ Real-world research found SEZ6 is expressed in 91% of SCLC patients overall and in more than 96% of patients with brain or liver metastases.¹ ABBV-706 is being evaluated in a phase 3 monotherapy study (NCT07365241) and a phase 2 study combined with atezolizumab (NCT07155174).

What are the limitations?

These are early-phase, uncontrolled response-rate data without a comparator arm, and cross-trial comparisons should be interpreted cautiously. Telisotuzumab adizutecan and ABBV-706 remain investigational and are not approved by any health authority.

References

1. AbbVie. AbbVie to present new data at WCLC 2026 showcasing innovation across lung cancer pipeline. Press release. Published August 21, 2026. Accessed August 21, 2026. https://news.abbvie.com/2026-08-21-AbbVie-to-Present-New-Data-at-WCLC-2026-Showcasing-Innovation-Across-Lung-Cancer-Pipeline
2. Zhang L, Zhao Y, Fan Y, et al. RC148 (ABBV-1480, PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody) plus chemotherapy in first-line locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Abstract OA14.01.03. Presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer; 2026; Seoul, Republic of Korea.
3. Byers LA, Cho BC, Cooper AJ, et al. SEZ6-targeting antibody-drug conjugate ABBV-706 in advanced small cell lung cancer and solid tumors: a phase 1 trial. Nat Med. 2026;32(8):2898-2908. doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04452-0