Review of the recent clinical trials for PD-1/PD-L1 based lung cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Lung cancer is known for its high mortality rate and prevalence in the world today. For decades, chemotherapy has been used as the main treatment for this cancer, but this has changed over time. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as programmed death 1 and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) blocking agents have been assessed in numerous clinical trials as single or combination therapy and have shown overall promising results. Nevertheless, various challenges have been encountered, which cast doubts over this method.

AREAS COVERED:

We provide an introduction to the mechanisms underlying the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway. Then, we discuss the latest results from the most leading-edge studies evaluating PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in different lines of lung cancer therapy (some of which have gained FDA approval), potential biomarkers, and major challenges of ICI therapy.

EXPERT OPINION:

Currently, the standard of care (SoC) for lung cancer consists mostly of chemotherapeutics. With further studies and ongoing trials evaluating novel ICI therapy, FDA has been approving specific ICI therapeutics, including PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, for particular types of lung cancer. However, for ICIs to play a key role in SoC, we need to overcome the major challenges of ICI therapy.

• Authors: Sadra Behrouzieh, Fateme Sheida, Nima Rezaei
• Journal: Expert review of anticancer therapy (Expert Rev Anticancer Ther) Vol. 21 Issue 12 Pg. 1355-1370 (12 2021) ISSN: 1744-8328 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34686070 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• B7-H1 Antigen
• Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor

Topics

• B7-H1 Antigen
• Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Immunotherapy (methods)
• Lung Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor