Background
PD-L1 expression (PD-L1) on tumor cells with or without immune cells is widely reported in clinical trials of PD-1 blockade in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Various cutpoints have been studied.
Methods
We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and conference proceedings up to December 2019 for randomized and non-randomized clinical trials of anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 monotherapy in metastatic NSCLC. We retrieved data on objective response rate (ORR), 1 year (1yr PFS) and 2 year progression-free survival (2yr PFS), and 2 year (2yr OS) and 3 year overall survival (3yr OS) in various PD-L1 subgroups. Results were pooled and analysed based on different cutpoints, with non-randomized comparisons made to pooled chemotherapy outcomes.
Results
9,810 patients in twenty-seven studies were included. In treatment-naïve patients, benefits with PD-1 blockade over chemotherapy were seen in ORR in patients having PD-L1 ≥50%, in 2yr OS for PDL1 ≥1%, and in 1yr PFS, 2yr PFS and 3yr OS for unselected patients. First-line PD-1 blockade compared to chemotherapy demonstrated higher ORR, 2yr PFS and 3yr OS if PD-L1 ≥50%; lower ORR, higher 2yr PFS and similar 3yr OS if PD-L1 1-49%; and lower ORR, similar 1yr PFS and lower 2yr OS if PD-L1 <1%. In previously treated patients, PD-1 blockade demonstrated similar or superior outcomes to chemotherapy in all PD-L1 subgroups.
Conclusions
PD-L1 should guide the choice of PD-1 blockade versus chemotherapy in treatment-naïve patients. In previously treated patients, PD-1 blockade provides a favourable outcome profile to chemotherapy in all PD-L1 subgroups.