Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer With Uncommon Histology

Sara Manglaviti1, Marta Brambilla1, Diego Signorelli2

  • 1Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.

Clinical Lung Cancer
|August 2, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) show similar efficacy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients with uncommon histologies (UH) compared to common histologies (CH). Further prospective trials are necessary to confirm the role of ICIs in the UH population.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Thoracic Surgery

Background:

  • Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) treatment.
  • Efficacy of ICIs in patients with uncommon histologies (UH) remains less understood compared to common histologies (CH).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of ICIs in aNSCLC patients with UH.
  • To compare outcomes of UH patients treated with ICIs against CH patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of ICI-treated aNSCLC patients from April 2013 to January 2021.
  • Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models for survival analyses (progression-free survival and overall survival).
  • Assessment of objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR).

Main Results:

  • Of 375 patients, 79 (21.1%) had UH, including sarcomatoid carcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, and others.
  • No significant differences in median progression-free survival (2.5m vs 2.7m) or median overall survival (8.8m vs 9.7m) were observed between UH and CH groups.
  • Objective response rate (25.3% vs 21.6%) and disease control rate (40.5% vs 49.5%) were comparable between UH and CH groups.

Conclusions:

  • ICIs demonstrate comparable efficacy in aNSCLC patients with UH and CH.
  • ECOG performance status was the only significant prognostic factor identified in the UH group.
  • Prospective studies are essential to elucidate the precise role and optimal use of ICIs in the UH population.