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Real-world evidence for pembrolizumab in non-small cell lung cancer: a nationwide cohort study

  • 0Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
British Journal of Cancer +

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November 3, 2024

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November 3, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improve survival for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in real-world practice. This study confirms their effectiveness and similar survival benefits compared to clinical trials.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Clinical Trials
  • Real-world Evidence

Background

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are standard first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without targetable mutations.
  • Clinical trial data support ICI efficacy, but generalizability to routine practice requires evaluation.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To assess the real-world effectiveness of ICIs in advanced NSCLC.
  • To compare overall survival (OS) of patients treated with ICIs versus historical chemotherapy cohorts and clinical trial data.

Main Methods

  • Retrospective analysis of 8416 advanced NSCLC patients initiating systemic anticancer treatment (SACT) in Norway from 2012-21.
  • Data retrieved from Norwegian Health Registries, including clinical characteristics and treatment information.

Main Results

  • Overall survival for advanced NSCLC patients improved with ICI implementation.
  • Median OS for patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab post-2017 was 13.8 months (monotherapy) and 12.8 months (combination), versus 8.0 months for pre-2017 chemotherapy.
  • Real-world median OS for pembrolizumab was lower than in clinical trials, but the relative survival benefit over chemotherapy was similar.

Conclusions

  • Nationwide data confirm a survival benefit for ICIs over conventional chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC.
  • Pembrolizumab demonstrates effectiveness in routine clinical practice, with a magnitude of benefit comparable to clinical trial findings.