Dr. Bunn on Combining Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy in Lung Cancer

Paul A. Bunn, Jr., MD, professor of Medicine, head of the Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Colorado, discusses combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy and targeted agents in lung cancer.

Currently, the evidence is not solid enough to suggest a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy would be positive in overall survival. Trials must continue, says Bunn, as more scientific evidence is needed to decipher whether this treatment combination could be positive.

In addition to the study comparing chemotherapy plus immunotherapy versus chemotherapy alone, there was interest in chemotherapy plus antiangiogenic agents such as bevacizumab (Avastin). Those trials didn’t seem impactful in targeting lung cancer, says Bunn, considering the marginal survival benefit and high price.