Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
The Role of Checkpoint Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Jonathan Lu1, Robert A Ramirez1,2
1Department of Hematology and Oncology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
Background:
The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of cancer. Their use in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains in its infancy, but rapid progress has been made in treating metastatic NSCLC.
Methods:
This article outlines the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of malignancy and reviews clinical trials of novel immunotherapies in the setting of metastatic NSCLC.
Results:
Traditional chemotherapy with a platinum-based doublet has long been the backbone in the treatment of metastatic NSCLC. While the treatment of NSCLC can be targeted to specific mutations such as epidermal growth factor receptor, these subgroups are rare. The development of immunotherapy has expanded the treatment options for patients who have failed initial chemotherapy. Additionally, new studies have shown positive results for the use of immunotherapy in the first-line setting under certain conditions, allowing pembrolizumab to become the first immunotherapy to be approved in the first-line setting.
Conclusion:
Treatment of NSCLC is constantly changing, and new immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results. Clinical trials are examining their use in the adjuvant setting and in combination with other therapies, and these combination therapies have the potential to show even greater benefits and broader applications than the individual drugs themselves.
Insights
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are revolutionizing cancer treatment, showing promise in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Research is exploring their use in earlier stages and combination therapies for improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed cancer therapy.
- Their application in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is rapidly advancing, particularly for metastatic disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating malignancy.
- To review clinical trials of novel immunotherapies for metastatic NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trials and existing literature.
- Analysis of immunotherapy's role in various NSCLC treatment settings.
Main Results:
- Immunotherapy offers expanded options for patients with metastatic NSCLC, especially after chemotherapy failure.
- Pembrolizumab is the first immunotherapy approved for first-line NSCLC treatment under specific conditions.
Conclusions:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors show significant promise in NSCLC treatment.
- Ongoing trials investigate adjuvant and combination therapies for enhanced efficacy and broader applications.
More Related Videos
10:29Semi-automatic PD-L1 Characterization and Enumeration of Circulating Tumor Cells from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients by Immunofluorescence
Published on: August 14, 2019
06:00Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics
Published on: May 14, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Negative Regulator Molecules
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
The Cell Cycle Control System
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and...