Chugai obtains regulatory approval for Lunsumio and Polivy combination therapy for additional indication of relapsed or refractory large b-cell lymphoma

CAR-T Digest - August 2020

Weekly Digest - March 2026

23 March 2026: Chugai obtains regulatory approval for Lunsumio and Polivy combination therapy for additional indication of relapsed or refractory large b-cell lymphoma

Chugai has received approval in Japan (MHLW) for the combination of Lunsumio and Polivy in relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma, marking the first approval of this combination worldwide
The decision is based on the global Phase 3 SUNMO study, which compared this combination with standard chemotherapy (R-GemOx) in patients not eligible for stem cell transplant, demonstrating strong efficacy and safety
In the study, the combination showed clear clinical benefit, with around 70% of patients responding and a 59% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death, along with longer progression-free survival
While side effects were common, they were consistent with known safety profiles, suggesting that this effective combination can be managed in clinical practice and may soon become an important new standard for these patients
This approval addresses a critical need, as many patients with this aggressive disease relapse or stop responding to existing treatments, leaving limited options for further therapy