Immunotherapy combinations and chemotherapy sparing schemes in first line non-small cell lung cancer

In recent years, studies have explored different combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. The rationale behind these is the improved survival outcomes of new immunologic therapies used in first-line-treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Moreover, for the most-studied combinations of anti-programed death-1 (PD-1)/programed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) with the addition of platinum- based chemotherapy, recent research is investigating whether combining different immunologic antitumoral mechanisms of action, such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4, or anti-PD-L1 and anti-TIGIT, with or without chemotherapy, can improve efficacy outcomes compared with more classical combinations, or compared with standard chemotherapy alone. Here, we present the data of the main randomized studies that have evaluated these combinations, focusing on the basic rationale behind the different combinations, and the efficacy and tolerability data available to date.

Automated summary

Recent studies have explored different combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy to improve survival outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Research is investigating whether combining different immunologic antitumoral mechanisms of action, such as anti-PD-1/PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4, or anti-PD-L1 and anti-TIGIT, can improve efficacy outcomes compared with more classical combinations or standard chemotherapy alone.