Review of checkpoint immunotherapy for the management of non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Checkpoint immunotherapy uses highly selective humanized monoclonal antibodies against checkpoint signals such as programmed cell death receptor (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand (PD-L1). By blocking these receptors and signals, the immune system can be reactivated to fight the tumor. Immunotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has resulted in a new paradigm of treatment options resulting in improved survival and response rates and has a less severe yet unique toxicity profile when compared to chemotherapy. PD-1 inhibitors, nivolumab and pembrolizumab, and PD-L1 inhibitor, atezolizumab, are currently approved by regulatory authorities for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. This article provides a detailed review of these newer agents, their mechanism of action, side-effect profile, therapeutic indications and current evidence supporting their use in the management of NSCLC.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of nivolumab in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A multicenter retrospective observational study in Japan

“…Nivolumab is a fully human immunoglobulin G4 (kappa) isotype monoclonal antibody that binds programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) on activated immune cells and disrupts the engagement of the receptor with its ligands programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1: B7-H1/ CD274 and PD-L2: B7-DC/CD273), thereby abrogating inhibitory signals and augmenting the antitumor response of the host [1]. In previous clinical trials, nivolumab has shown activity in several tumor types, including melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), Hodgkin lymphoma, and malignant pleural mesothelioma.…”

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the pleura treated with nivolumab

“…Anti‐tumour immunotherapy with immune check point inhibitors especially targeting PD‐1 receptor or its PD‐L1 has changed the landscape in the treatment of advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) exhibiting improved survival and response rates combined with a less toxic profile . Nivolumab is a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that inhibits PD‐1 activity.…”

The Importance of Human Tissue Bioresources in Advancing Biomedical Research

“…[15][16][17] Biospecimens provided by biorepositories have facilitated the development of novel approaches to immunotherapy, which are applicable to a broad range of malignancies, including melanomas, ovarian, gastric, and lung adenocarcinomas, and uterine serous endometrial carcinomas. [18][19][20] The checkpoint protein programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1 or B7-H1) has a major role in suppressing the immune system. The immune system is inhibited by the binding of PD-L1 to the program cell death protein 1 (PD-1) on cytotoxic CD8 + T cells; this increases apoptosis and provides an inhibitory signal that decreases the proliferation of antigen-specific T cells.…”