Pembrolizumab alone or with chemotherapy for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Pembrolizumab monotherapy has replaced chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic non small-cell lung cancer with tumor programmed death-ligand 1 expression > 50%. The benefit of chemotherapy combined with pembrolizumab, as compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy, remains uncertain. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to compare these therapies through a network of randomized controlled trials. Endpoints evaluated were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) expressed as hazard ratio (HR) and restricted mean survival time (RMST) through reconstruction of individual patient data from Kaplan-Meier curves, and objective response rate and adverse events. Four trials were included. Through HR and RMST, combination therapy demonstrated longer PFS and similar OS as compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy. Combination therapy was associated with an increase in response rate and adverse events. Thus, combination therapy can be considered when rapid response or prevention of rapid progression is needed. Further evidence to directly compare these therapies is required.

Automated summary

Pembrolizumab monotherapy has replaced chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with tumor programmed death-ligand 1 expression > 50%. The benefit of chemotherapy combined with pembrolizumab remains uncertain and further research is needed.