Non-small-cell lung cancer brain metastases and PD-(L)1 immune checkpoint inhibitors

Brain metastases are an increasing issue for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). They occur in up to 40% of patients during their disease course and are disabling or directly responsible for death in half of cases. 1 Mujoomdar A, Austin JH, Malhotra R, et al. Clinical predictors of metastatic disease to the brain from non-small cell lung carcinoma: primary tumor size, cell type, and lymph node metastases. Radiology 242: 882–888. Google Scholar Pembrolizumab for management of patients with NSCLC and brain metastases: long-term results and biomarker analysis from a non-randomised, open-label, phase 2 trialPembrolizumab has activity in brain metastases from NSCLC with PD-L1 expression at least 1% and is safe in selected patients with untreated brain metastases. Further investigation of immunotherapy in patients with CNS disease from NSCLC is warranted. Full-Text PDF