Xabier Mielgo-Rubio, Eider Azkona Uribelarrea, Laura Quintana Cortés*, María Sereno Moyano
Mielgo-Rubio et al. J Clin Transl Res 2021; 7(1):1
Published online: January 20, 2021
Abstract
Background: The treatment of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) has changed markedly in recent years as a result of two major treatment milestones: targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Since 2015, immunotherapy has been changing the paradigm of NSCLC treatment in different settings and has contributed to improving the quality of life of these patients. The most widely used immunotherapy strategy in clinical practice is currently PD-1 and CTLA-4 immune checkpoint inhibition-based immunotherapy. Initial successful results came from an improvement in overall survival for pretreated patients, and immunotherapy subsequently moved to a first-line palliative setting as monotherapy, in combination with chemotherapy or as double-checkpoint inhibition. With regard to earlier stages, consolidation immunotherapy after chemoradiation has also changed the paradigm of unresectable NSCLC, with marked benefits in terms of disease-free and overall survival. During the last few years, efforts have focused on the introduction of immunotherapy in earlier stages as neoadjuvant treatment for potentially resectable tumors and in an adjuvant setting, with some very promising results.
Aim: In this manuscript we provide both an agile and thorough review of the role of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer, a critical analysis of the most important studies, current indications, the role of biomarkers, new insights and future challenges.
Relevance for patients: Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients reaching better survival outcomes in first and second palliative setting and in unresectable stage III tumours. Next years immunotherapy will also introduce in earlier stages. Through an extensive knowledge of the mechanisms of action and of immunotherapy-based studies, the best treatment alternative can be offered to patients, helping to improve their survival and cure rates.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18053/jctres.07.202101.001
Author affiliation
1. Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
2. Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Cruces, Bizkaia, Spain
3. Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Don Benito-Villanueva, Badajoz, Spain
4. Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Infanta Sofía, Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
*Corresponding author
Laura Quintanta Cortés
Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Don Benito-Villanueva, Badajoz, Spain
Email: lauraquintana_cortes@hotmail.com
Handling editor:
Michal Heger
Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
Department of Pharmaceutics, Jiaxing University Medical College, Zhejiang, China
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