title: Clinical Trials Investigating Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.
abstract: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with poor overall survival that accounts for up to 85% of lung cancer diagnoses. The use of immunotherapy in the form of checkpoint inhibition, to enhance the immune system's ability to attack malignant cells, has been a promising addition to treatment options in advanced NSCLC.
  
  
  
  Such therapeutic agents aimed at the Programmed Death 1 (PD-1) receptor or Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) have revealed promising results against many types of cancer including NSCLC. Examples of these agents include nivolumab, pembrolizumab, BMS-936559, atezolizumab, and MEDI4736, of which the first two are approved by US FDA in the second line treatment of advanced NSCLC.
  
  
  
  Impressive improvements in objective responses from PD-1 blockade were found in both first line therapy as well as treatment after progression on platinum based therapy. In addition, the safety profile is favorable with significantly lower grade 3-4 adverse events compared to standard of care. The optimal selection criteria and factors that show an increased response to therapy are still being determined.
authors.affiliation: Upstate University Hospital, Department of Medicine, 750 East Adams St, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
authors.forename: Anshu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.forename: Simrit S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Walia
authors.forename: Ajeet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gajra
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor