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Published on: September 8, 2023
[Chinese expert consensus on immunotherapy for advanced non-small lung cancer with oncogenic driver mutations (2023
Abstract:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with oncogenic driver mutations was previously deemed " forbidden territory" for immunotherapy. With the growing understanding of the impact of target drugs on the immune microenvironment and the continuous generation of clinical evidence, immunotherapy is expected to bring new hope for the NSCLC with oncogenic driver mutations. This consensus is updated based on the Chinese expert consensus on immunotherapy for advanced non-small lung cancer with oncogenic driver mutations (2022 edition), and developed by the consensus expert panel through symposiums, combining the latest medical evidence and clinical practice. After thorough discussion, the expert panel reached new consensuses on 3 clinical questions: in patients with ALK fusion who are progressing on tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI) therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)-based treatment is not recommended; ICIs-based treatment is recommended for patients with HER-2 mutations; ICIs-based treatment is recommended for NSCLC patients with MET exon 14 skipping after resistance to the targeted therapy. At the same time, with the continuous accumulation of clinical evidence, the recommendation levels of the three consensus opinions were adjusted in this update: the recommendation of ICIs combined with anti-angiogenesis therapy for patients with extensive progression after EGFR-TKIs resistance was adjusted to the level of strong; the ICIs recommendations for patients with advanced KRAS mutant and BRAF mutant NSCLC were adjusted to the level of consistent and strong, respectively. This updated consensus, combined with the latest evidence and clinical experience widely recognized by the expert panel in the immunotherapy of driver gene mutation advanced NSCLC, aims to provide standardized guidance for the clinical practice in China.
Insights
Immunotherapy shows promise for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with driver mutations. Updated Chinese expert consensus provides guidance on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for ALK, HER-2, MET, KRAS, and BRAF mutations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Molecular Diagnostics
Context:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with oncogenic driver mutations was historically resistant to immunotherapy.
- Advances in understanding targeted drug effects on the tumor immune microenvironment are changing treatment paradigms.
- Clinical evidence supporting immunotherapy in this patient population is rapidly accumulating.
Purpose:
- To update the Chinese expert consensus on immunotherapy for advanced NSCLC with oncogenic driver mutations.
- To provide standardized clinical guidance based on the latest evidence and expert experience.
- To address specific clinical questions regarding immunotherapy use in ALK, HER-2, MET, KRAS, and BRAF mutated NSCLC.
Summary:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are not recommended for ALK-fusion NSCLC progressing on tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
- ICIs are recommended for HER-2 mutated NSCLC and for NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping after targeted therapy resistance.
- Recommendations for ICIs combined with anti-angiogenesis for EGFR-TKI resistant NSCLC were strengthened; ICIs recommendations for KRAS and BRAF mutant NSCLC were adjusted to consistent and strong, respectively.
Impact:
- This updated consensus offers crucial guidance for clinicians in China managing advanced NSCLC with driver gene mutations.
- It reflects the evolving role of immunotherapy in previously "forbidden territory" for NSCLC treatment.
- Facilitates evidence-based decision-making for incorporating immunotherapy into standard care for specific mutation profiles.
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