Dr. Subramanian on the Future of Immunotherapy in NSCLC

Janakiraman Subramanian, MD, a medical oncologist and director of thoracic oncology and director of the Center for Precision Medicine at St. Luke’s Cancer Institute, discusses the future of immunotherapy in non—small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The frontline space of NSCLC has been defined by single-agent immunotherapy and immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy as evidenced by results of the KEYNOTE-042 and IMpower150 trials. Results from additional trials evaluating the use of immunotherapy agents in this space are eagerly awaited, says Subramanian, one of which is examining nivolumab (Opdivo).

However, that leaves an unmet need for patients who progress through these regimens. A lot of effort has been expended defining frontline options for patients, but it is unknown what the best options are following progression, he says. Ongoing studies are looking at new checkpoint inhibitors that are either completely novel or are being used in combination with current immunotherapy therapies, states Subramanian. Other targeted agents are being explored in this space as well.