title: Immunotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer: report from an international experts panel meeting of the Italian association of thoracic oncology.
abstract: The potential long term survival gain, related to immune adaptability and memory, the potential activity across multiple tumour types through targeting the immune system, and the opportunity for combinations offered by the unique mechanism of actions and safety profile of these new agents, all support the role of immunotherapy in the cancer treatment pathway or paradigm. Areas covered: The authors discuss the recent advances in the understanding of immunology and antitumor immune responses that have led to the development of new immunotherapies, including monoclonal antibodies that inhibit immune checkpoint pathways, such as Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) and Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte-Associated Antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Currently, two PD-1 inhibitors are available in clinical practice for treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Expert opinion: Ongoing research will dictate future strategies, including the potential incorporation of immunotherapy in stage dependent treatment settings (early stage locally advanced disease and first line therapy for metastatic disease). Immunotherapy combinations are promising avenues, and careful selection of patients, doses of each agent and information supporting strategies (i.e. concomitant or sequential) is still needed.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Medical Oncology , 'S. G. Moscati' Hospital , Avellino , Italy.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gridelli
authors.affiliation: b Melanoma Unit, Cancer Immunotherapy and Innovative Therapy , Istituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione 'G. Pascale' , Napoli , Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ascierto
authors.affiliation: c Pathology , European Institute of Oncology , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo C P
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Barberis
authors.affiliation: d Lung Cancer Unit, Oncology Department , Vall d'Hebron University Hospital , Barcelona , Spain.
authors.forename: Enriqueta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Felip
authors.affiliation: e Department of Hematology/Oncology , David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California , Los Angeles , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Garon
authors.affiliation: f Department of Medicine , Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust , London , UK.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'brien
authors.affiliation: g Department of Radiation Oncology , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Senan
authors.affiliation: a Division of Medical Oncology , 'S. G. Moscati' Hospital , Avellino , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Casaluce
authors.affiliation: a Division of Medical Oncology , 'S. G. Moscati' Hospital , Avellino , Italy.
authors.forename: Assunta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sgambato
authors.affiliation: h Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology , The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center , Houston , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Vali
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papadimitrakopoulou
authors.affiliation: i Thoracic Division, Medical Oncology Department , European Institute of Oncology , Milan , Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Marinis
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D003226:Congresses as Topic / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D038622:Internationality; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000077594:Nivolumab; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D058028:Research Report / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C556706:CTLA4 protein, human; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; D000077594:Nivolumab
keywords: Combination therapies; immune checkpoint inhibitors; immune-related toxicity; nivolumab; pembrolizumab; programmed death-1 (PD-1)