Retreatment With Anti-PD-L1 Antibody in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Previously Treated With Anti-PD-1 Antibodies

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of re-treatment with anti-programmed death (PD)-L1 antibody (atezolizumab) after anti-PD-1 antibody (nivolumab/pembrolizumab) treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 18 NSCLC patients who received atezolizumab after anti-PD-1 antibody treatment. Data on patient characteristics, number of cycles of anti-PD-1 antibody and atezolizumab, regimens between anti-PD-1 antibody and atezolizumab, best response, and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were collected and analyzed.

Results: Nine patients a had high (≥50%) PD-L1 expression. The median number of cycles of atezolizumab was 3 (range=2-7). The median progression-free survival was 2.9±1.8 months. Seven (38.9%) and 11 (61.1%) patients had stable and progressive disease, respectively. No patient achieved partial or complete response. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of irAEs between anti-PD-1 antibodies and atezolizumab.

Conclusion: Preliminary results showed that patients previously treated with anti PD-1 antibodies received only limited benefit from subsequent atezolizumab.

Keywords: Atezolizumab; anti-PD-1 antibodies; immune checkpoint inhibitors; lung cancer.