Efficacy of cross‐line anti‐programmed death 1/programmed cell death‐ligand 1 antibody in the treatment of advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer: A retrospective study

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) across multiple treatment lines have not yet been evaluated comprehensively. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether or not continuous cross‐line ICIs therapy is effective in treating non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods We conducted a retrospective investigation into the medical histories of 47 patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC and treated with ICIs at the Peking University First Hospital between January 2018 and June 2022. Results Due to the progression of their disease, 14 patients were given the same ICIs, 5 patients were given different ICIs, and 6 patients discontinued taking ICIs altogether. The objective response rates were 7.140% in the ICIs cross‐line treatment group, 0% in the replacement of ICIs treatment group, and 0% in the discontinuation of ICIs treatment group. The disease control rates were 64.260% in the ICIs cross‐line treatment group, 60% in the replacement of ICIs treatment group, and 0% in the discontinuation of ICIs treatment group. The average overall survival durations of the three groups were 24.020 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.061–30.979), 31.643 (95% CI: 23.513–39.774), and 7.997 (95% CI: 3.746–12.247) months, respectively (p = 0.003). The median second progression‐free survival (PFS2) durations of the three groups were 4.570 (95% CI: 3.276–5.864), 3.530 (95% CI: 0.674–6.386), and 1.570 (95% CI: 0–4.091) months, respectively (p = 0.091). Conclusions Cross‐line ICIs cannot improve the prognosis and PFS2 of patients with NSCLC, but compared to discontinuing ICIs, OS may be prolonged. A few patients may benefit from prolonged ICIs therapy.

Keywords

• advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer
• cross‐line therapy
• immune checkpoint inhibitors
• immune‐related adverse events
• prognosis