Highlights on immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer

The treatment of advanced or refractory non-small cell lung cancer has been historically difficult owing to the lack of studies on effective systemic cure. The progress in lung cancer treatment has plateaued, necessitating new options for additional benefits. Immune checkpoint proteins are co-inhibitory factors that can diminish the antigen-specific immune responses by attenuating the regulatory role of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, programmed cell death-1, lymphocyte-activation gene 3, and T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3. The therapeutic strategies targeting immune checkpoints mainly focus on the monoclonal antibody of these regulatory factors, which may facilitate clinical decision making. An enhanced understanding of the drug-resistance mechanisms and the therapeutic efficacy regulation will provide opportunities to improve the clinical outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer patients. Preclinical and clinical trials on these key immune-regulatory agents, which has heralded a new era in immuno-oncology in non-small cell lung cancer treatment, are currently in development.