Dr. Sabari on Novel Immunotherapy Combos Under Investigation in NSCLC

Joshua K. Sabari, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, discusses novel immunotherapy combinations that are under investigation in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

In the phase 3 CheckMate-9LA trial, investigators examined the combination of ipilimumab (Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo) plus chemotherapy, says Sabari. While toxicity is a potential concern, the chemoimmunotherapy combination did not seem to add significant toxicity to what has already been observed with ipilimumab. Although the study was positive, more data are needed, according to Sabari. Specifically, overall survival data are needed before the regimen will be integrated into clinical practice, says Sabari. However, this regimen could be a good frontline option for patients who are very fit, very young, and have a very good performance status.

CITYSCAPE was another very interesting study in which investigators looked at atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in combination with a T-cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and ITIM domains (TIGIT) monoclonal antibody. Prior data have been reported with TIGIT antibodies from Merck and other companies that did not look that impressive, notes Sabari. However, in a subset of patients with a high PD-L1 expression, the response rate and the progression-free survival seemed to be robust. The ongoing phase 3 SKYSCRAPER study is looking at this in a randomized fashion, concludes Sabari.