Principles of Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Thorac Surg Clin. 2020 May;30(2):187-198. doi: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2020.01.009.

Abstract

Immunotherapy has transformed the treatment of many tumors. Robust data demonstrating improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients treated with monoclonal antibodies have established immune checkpoint inhibitors as standard of care in stages III and IV non-small cell lung cancer. Nivolumab is effective in previously treated patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. Pembrolizumab and atezolizumab are approved as monotherapy and in combination with other therapies. Ongoing trials investigate the potential role of immunotherapy in earlier disease settings. Identifying predictive biomarkers of response will further amplify the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Keywords: Anti-PD-1; Anti-PD-L1; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Non-small cell lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Lung Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor