Immunotherapy of lung cancer

05/2019

MUDr. Bohdan Kadlec, Ph.D.

Klinika nemocí plicních a tuberkulózy LF MU a FN Brno

SUMMARY

Immunotherapy, a new modality in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, provides patients with advanced disease with the possibility of effective treatment with less toxicity. Immune checkpoints treatment utilizes highly selective humanized monoclonal antibodies in order to reactivate anti-tumor response. This treatment improves overall survival, extends the spectrum of treatment options, and is less toxic compared to chemotherapy. Immune-mediated adverse reactions can lead to a variety of clinical conditions and can include any organ in the body. While the indication of immunotherapy is likely to expand in the future, further knowledge is needed to determine the optimal combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other anticancer drugs, as well as finding optimal biomarkers to predict the therapeutic effect and toxicity of immunotherapy.

Key words

immunotherapy, non-small cell lung cancer, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, nivolumab, atezolizumab, pembrolizumab, durvalumab