Dr. Kris on Combination Chemotherapy Approaches in NSCLC

Mark G. Kris, MD, William and Joy Ruane Chair in Thoracic Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the use of chemotherapy in patients with non—small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

There is much excitement surrounding the recent data on bevacizumab (Avastin) in combination with cell cycle-targeted chemotherapy and atezolizumab (Tecentriq) that show improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

The other area that is exploding is the use of checkpoint inhibitors. The drugs that physicians now have include pembrolizumab (Keytruda), atezolizumab, nivolumab (Opdivo), and durvalumab (Imfinzi). There’s emerging evidence that when you give drugs with chemotherapy, there are improved outcomes both in terms of PFS and OS. It is going to give a new life to chemotherapy, says Kris. Giving it with checkpoint inhibitors is going to become the standard of care in virtually every patient with NSCLC, concludes Kris.