Mark G. Kris, MD, William and Joy Ruane Chair in Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the role of immunotherapy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without driver mutations.

Currently, most patients with NSCLC can receive immunotherapy, although driver mutation tests may indicate the optimal frontline choice for patients with mutations is targeted therapy, Kris says. Genomic testing can also determine which patients have no driver mutations and are therefore good candidates for immunotherapy, Kris explains.

the FDA approved neoadjuvant nivolumab (Opdivo) plus chemotherapy

the FDA approved cemiplimab-rwlc (Libtayo) plus chemotherapy

 in patients with advanced NSCLC without 

 aberrations, Kris notes. Molecular testing can help rule in immunotherapy options such as nivolumab or cemiplimab or determine effective targeted therapies, depending on a patient’s mutation profile, Kris says.

Immunotherapy is a standard of care in NSCLC because it is an effective treatment, lengthening life and even leading to cures in some patients, including those with advanced disease, Kris emphasizes. Additionally, in the average patient, immunotherapy agents are compatible with a good quality of life, and this, in combination with their efficacy, tolerable safety profile, and curative potential, makes them ideal drugs for patients without driver mutations, Kris concludes.

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Mark G. Kris, MD, discusses the role of immunotherapy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer without driver mutations.

Dr. Kris on Immunotherapy in NSCLC Without Driver Mutations

Mark G. Kris, MD, William and Joy Ruane Chair in Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the role of atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Atezolizumab has many FDA approvals in stage IV NSCLC, including in combination with chemotherapy and bevacizumab (Avastin), making it a standard of care in lung cancer, Kris says. This agent is effective as an adjuvant therapy, and the phase 2 LCMC3 trial (NCT02927301) showed that it can also be safely administered in the neoadjuvant setting, Kris explains.

Atezolizumab elicits impressive responses, and patients who respond to this drug tend to have favorable long-term outcomes, Krisnotes. Additionally, the toxicity profile of atezolizumab is comparable to other available NSCLC therapies, so this drug should be considered in many areas within lung cancer treatment, Kris concludes.

Mark G. Kris, MD, discusses the role of atezolizumab in patients with non–small cell lung cancer. 

Mark G. Kris, MD

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Dr. Kris on Immunotherapy in NSCLC Without Driver Mutations

Dr. Kris on Atezolizumab in NSCLC