Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute has treated its first patient with tarlatamab, marking an important milestone in the expansion of advanced cancer therapies available to patients in Palm Beach County and the surrounding region.

For referring physicians, this development represents more than access to a new treatment option. It reflects Lynn Cancer Institute’s ability to deliver complex, highly coordinated therapies that require close collaboration across oncology, nursing, laboratory, pharmacy, emergency medicine, critical care and caregiver support.

Tarlatamab is an important advance for patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, particularly in the setting where treatment options may be limited and disease progression can be rapid. Because of the potential clinical complexity associated with this therapy, successful delivery depends on a coordinated cancer center infrastructure and on teams experienced in monitoring, escalation and supportive care.

“This is exactly the type of therapy that highlights why receiving care at comprehensive cancer centers matter,” said Samuel Kareff, M.D., thoracic medical oncologist. “Delivering safely a treatment like tarlatamab to patients requires more than a simple prescription. It requires coordinated support from physicians, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, family caregivers and, when needed, the Emergency Department (ED) and the intensive care unit (ICU). This coordination is truly a team effort.”

The availability of tarlatamab at Lynn Cancer Institute underscores the Institute’s ability to deliver increasingly complex cancer therapies locally, supported by the depth of Baptist Health’s cancer program. For referring physicians, that means appropriate patients can access sophisticated treatment options close to home, with the multidisciplinary coordination needed for close monitoring, timely intervention and continuity of care. 

For community physicians, the availability of tarlatamab at Lynn Cancer Institute offers a new local option for patients who might otherwise seek care across a fragmented referral landscape that includes freestanding and regional oncology practices. It also underscores the Institute’s continued momentum in bringing cutting-edge therapies closer to home. Additional T-cell engaging therapies, including bispecific antibodies, are expected to be delivered in the coming months for both solid and hematologic malignancies  

“This milestone reflects our commitment to making highly specialized cancer care available for patients in our population—my home community,” Dr. Kareff said. “Therapies like tarlatamab require the coordination of a multidisciplinary team and the infrastructure to deliver them safely and effectively. Making this treatment available at Lynn Cancer Institute is an important step forward for patients who may benefit from advanced therapies closer to home without the need to travel long distances to academic centers.”

As Lynn Cancer Institute continues to expand access to advanced treatment options, its first tarlatamab treatment signals an important step forward for referring physicians seeking specialized care for appropriate patients.

For referrals or to learn more about patient eligibility, physicians may contact Lynn Cancer Institute at 561-955-6400.