Future Perspectives in the Second Line Therapeutic Setting for Non-Oncogene Addicted Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Simple Summary Despite the use of novel agents in the first-line therapeutic setting, such as PD-1/PDL1 axis blockers for non-oncogene addicted non-small-cell lung cancer, most patients with advanced disease experience progression will succumb to the illness within a short period of time. Currently, the standard second-line treatment consists primarily of systemic cytotoxic therapies, which typically yield poor outcomes. Recently, several novel therapeutic strategies have emerged that may improve patient outcomes. This article reviews current state-of-the-art treatments in this scenario and highlights potential future options.Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the management of non-oncogene addicted non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Blocking the anti-PD-1 axis represents the current standard of care in the first-line setting, with drugs administered either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy. Despite notable successes achieved with ICIs, most of their long-term benefits are restricted to approximately 20% of patients. Consequently, the post-failure treatment landscape after failure to first-line treatment remains a complex challenge. Currently, docetaxel remains the preferred option, although its benefits remain modest as most patients do not respond or progress promptly. In recent times, novel agents and treatment combinations have emerged, offering fresh opportunities to improve patient outcomes. ICIs combined either with antiangiogenic or other novel immunotherapeutic compounds have shown promising preliminary activity. However, more mature data concerning specific combinations do not support their benefit over standard of care. In addition, antibody-drug conjugates seem to be the most promising alternative among all available compounds according to already-published phase I/II data that will be confirmed in soon-to-be-published phase III trial data. In this report, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current second-line treatment options and discuss future therapeutic perspectives.

Automated summary

Despite advancements in first-line treatments for non-oncogene addicted non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), many patients with advanced disease still experience poor outcomes. Current second-line treatment options, such as docetaxel, have limited effectiveness. However, novel therapeutic strategies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with other compounds, show promising preliminary activity. Antibody-drug conjugates also show potential as alternative treatments. This article provides an overview of current second-line treatment options and discusses future therapeutic perspectives.