Atezolizumab for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Issue 9 (2nd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santini, Fernando C.; Rudin, Charles M.
• Is Part Of: Expert review of clinical pharmacology. Volume 10:Issue 9(2017)
• Page Start: 935
• Page End: 945
• Publication Date: 2017-09-02
• Subjects: Atezolizumab -- immunotherapy -- lung cancer -- PD-L1; Clinical pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.105
• DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2017.1356717
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-2433

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : The immune system can restrain or promote cancer development and growth. Antibodies targeting immune checkpoints have revolutionized cancer treatment. Among the best responses have been in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which is largely caused by chronic exposure to carcinogens; associated with high neoantigen creation and sensitization to immune recognition. Atezolizumab was the first approved antibody that targets the PD-1 ligand (PD-L1). Areas covered : This drug profile article covers the basics of the cancer-immunity cycle and reviews some aspects of innate and adaptive immunology. We discuss the discovery of PD-L1 and PD-L2 while highlight the potential differences in targeting PD-L1 versus PD-1. In addition, we briefly summarized the available pre-clinical and clinical data of atezolizumab use in NSCLC. A special section covers the challenges of PD-L1 immunohistochemistry assay. Expert commentary : PD-1:PD-L1 blockade has taken the lead in the immunotherapeutics field and represents the backbone of developing combination immunotherapies. Atezolizumab represents a step forward in the treatment of advanced NSCLC, nonetheless PD1:PD-L1 blockade in early-stage lung cancer is still a matter of debate.