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05:17
Detection of Targetable Alterations in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer using Next-generation Sequencing
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Impact of First-Line Maintenance Immunotherapy With or Without Pemetrexed for Non-Squamous Advanced/Metastatic
Fabio Gomes1, Niall Gilding2, Vivian Tan2
1Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Clinical Lung Cancer
|February 13, 2026
Summary
Real-world data show survival was numerically shorter for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients during COVID-19. First-line maintenance immuno-oncology treatment outcomes were similar with or without pemetrexed.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Clinical Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited real-world data exist on first-line maintenance (1LM) immuno-oncology (IO) treatment for non-squamous (NSQ) advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (a/mNSCLC).
- The specific impact of pemetrexed in 1LM IO treatment requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze 1LM IO treatment patterns and outcomes in England for NSQ a/mNSCLC.
- To compare outcomes between patients treated during pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 pandemic periods.
- To evaluate the relative impact of pemetrexed in 1LM IO treatment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of data from the National Disease Registration Service.
- Two cohorts of NSQ a/mNSCLC patients were identified based on diagnosis date (pre-COVID-19 vs. during COVID-19 interim guidelines).
- Overall survival (OS) and time to next treatment or death were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Median OS was numerically longer for the pre-COVID-19 cohort (19.5 months) compared to the COVID-19 cohort (15.7 months).
- In the combined cohort, median OS was similar regardless of pemetrexed use in 1LM (19.5 months with pemetrexed vs. 18.6 months without).
Conclusions:
- Survival outcomes for NSQ a/mNSCLC patients receiving 1LM IO treatment were numerically shorter during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Pemetrexed use in 1LM IO treatment did not significantly impact survival in the combined cohort.
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