Dr. Goldberg on the Evolving Role of Immunotherapy in NSCLC

Sarah B. Goldberg, MD, MPH, an associate professor of Internal Medicine and the associate director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program at the Yale School of Medicine, discusses the evolving role of immunotherapy in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Immunotherapy continues to play a bigger role within NSCLC, as more clinical studies underscore the efficacy of this approach, says Goldberg. A few years ago, immunotherapy was largely used in the second-line setting for patients with advanced or metastatic disease, but it has since moved up into the frontline setting for patients with NSCLC and small cell lung cancer, adds Goldberg.

Moreover, it is becoming clear that combination regimens may provide added benefit to patients, says Goldberg. PD-L1 expression on tumor cells can be used to help guide selection and inform whether a single-agent approach or a combination regimen should be administered. Immunotherapy has also emerged as a strategy for patients with stage III lung cancer, with clinical trials showing benefit with this modality in this population, as well, Goldberg concludes.