Johnson & Johnson has reported final overall survival results from the phase 3 PAPILLON study, showing its amivantamab‑based regimen delivered the longest median overall survival yet recorded in patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation‑positive non‑small cell lung cancer.
The company said patients receiving RYBREVANT▼ (amivantamab) plus carboplatin‑pemetrexed chemotherapy achieved a median overall survival of 34.3 months, compared with 27.9 months for chemotherapy alone.
The findings were presented at the IASLC 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer. Johnson & Johnson noted that the numerical difference in median overall survival exceeded six months, despite 76% of eligible patients in the chemotherapy arm crossing over to second‑line amivantamab after disease progression.
EGFR Ex20ins mutations account for around 12% of all EGFR mutations. These patients have historically faced poorer outcomes and limited targeted treatment options. Median overall survival has typically ranged from 16 to 24 months.
Dr Chul Kim, Director of Thoracic Oncology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, said: “We’ve come a long way in treating EGFR exon 20 insertion‑positive lung cancer, and these results demonstrate the lasting impact amivantamab plus chemotherapy can have in helping patients live longer.” He added: “Patients are continuing treatment years after they started, which speaks to the durability of this approach and its value as a first‑line treatment for this disease.”
Yusri Elsayed, Global Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Johnson & Johnson, explained: “We have long believed amivantamab could transform the outlook for patients with EGFR‑mutated lung cancer by addressing key drivers of disease progression and treatment resistance.” He added: “With the longest survival seen in this patient population, these results add to the growing body of evidence across common, atypical and exon 20 insertion EGFR mutations and further establish the regimen as a backbone therapy.”
Henar Hevia, EMEA Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology, Johnson & Johnson, said: “For patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion‑mutated non‑small cell lung cancer, the treatment chosen at the outset can make a profound difference.” She added: “These long‑term PAPILLON results demonstrate the longest reported median overall survival to date in this disease, highlighting the importance of early identification and ensuring patients can access the most effective treatment approach from the beginning.”
The safety profile of intravenous amivantamab plus chemotherapy was consistent with earlier studies, with no new safety signals observed. The most common treatment‑related adverse events included paronychia, neutropenia and rash.
