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Combination Immunotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

  • Lung Cancer (H Borghaei, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Checkpoint blockade has changed the treatment landscape in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but single-agent approaches are effective for only a select subset of patients. Here, we will review the evidence for combination immunotherapies in NSCLC and the clinical data evaluating the efficacy of this approach.

Recent Findings

Clinical trials evaluating combination PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade as well as PD-1 in combination with agents targeting IDO1, B7-H3, VEGF, and EGFR show promising results. Additional studies targeting other immune pathways like TIGIT, LAG-3, and cellular therapies are ongoing.

Summary

Combination immunotherapy has the potential to improve outcomes in NSCLC. Data from early clinical trials is promising and reveals that these agents can be administered together safely without a significant increase in toxicity. Further studies are needed to evaluate their long-term safety and efficacy and to determine appropriate patient selection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

    Melina E. Marmarelis & Charu Aggarwal

  2. Hematology-Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, South Pavilion, Floor 10, 3400 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Charu Aggarwal

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  1. Melina E. Marmarelis
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Correspondence to Charu Aggarwal.

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Melina E. Marmarelis and Charu Aggarwal declare they have no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Lung Cancer

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Marmarelis, M.E., Aggarwal, C. Combination Immunotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 20, 55 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-018-0697-7

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