Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Using 22C3 Anti-PD-L1 Antibody Concentrate on Biopsy and Cytology Samples from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
07:43

Using 22C3 Anti-PD-L1 Antibody Concentrate on Biopsy and Cytology Samples from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Published on: September 25, 2018

10.7K

Pembrolizumab in Combination with Chemotherapy in Patients with ERBB2-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Fawzi Abu Rous1, Radhika Gutta2, Pin Li3

  • 1Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Cancer Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA.

Targeted Oncology
|March 21, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

First-line chemotherapy with pembrolizumab showed activity in ERBB2-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This combination therapy yielded promising overall survival and progression-free survival in a small patient cohort.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • ERBB2 mutations are oncogenic drivers in a subset of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC).
  • Currently, no targeted therapies are approved for first-line treatment of ERBB2-mutated NSCLC.
  • Platinum-based chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy is the standard first-line approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of first-line chemotherapy combined with pembrolizumab in patients with stage IV ERBB2-mutated NSCLC.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of five stage IV ERBB2-mutated NSCLC patients treated with carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab.
  • Assessment of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and time to next therapy (TTNT) using Kaplan-Meier methods.
  • Calculation of response rates (partial response, stable disease) with Clopper-Pearson confidence intervals.

Main Results:

  • Median patient age was 60 years; 4/5 patients had ERBB2 exon 20 mutations.
  • Median OS was 24 months, median PFS was 9 months, and median TTNT was 9 months.
  • Response rate for partial response was 0.6 (95% CI 0.147-0.947); response rate for partial response + stable disease was 0.8 (95% CI 0.284-0.995).
  • No unexpected toxicities were observed.

Conclusions:

  • First-line chemotherapy plus pembrolizumab demonstrated activity in ERBB2-mutated NSCLC, comparable to existing data.
  • Further clinical trials are necessary to define the role of this regimen amidst emerging targeted therapies.

More Related Videos

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer04:04

Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer

Published on: February 12, 2017

10.6K
Patient-Derived Tumor Explants As a "Live" Preclinical Platform for Predicting Drug Resistance in Patients07:42

Patient-Derived Tumor Explants As a "Live" Preclinical Platform for Predicting Drug Resistance in Patients

Published on: February 7, 2021

5.1K

Related Concept Videos

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.1K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
699
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.9K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.4K