Dr. Spira on Atezolizumab in the POPLAR Study for NSCLC

Alexander Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, medical oncology, hematology, Virginia Cancer Specialists, a practice within The US Oncology Network, discusses the POPLAR study for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The phase II study randomized patients with NSCLC to atezolizumab (MPDL3280A) or docetaxel in the second- or third-line setting. Patients who were administered the anti-PD-L1 agent were treated until practitioners determined there was no longer a benefit, Spira says. Patients in the docetaxel arm were treated until disease progression.

At the interim analysis, which is not yet final, there was improved survival with atezolizumab. A correlation was also found between PD-L1 expression and efficacy of the drug. A phase III study is ongoing. Results from this study could also potentially identify a biomarker, Spira adds.

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