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Review
. 2017 Sep;10(9):935-945.
doi: 10.1080/17512433.2017.1356717. Epub 2017 Jul 27.

Atezolizumab for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Fernando C Santini  1   2 , Charles M Rudin  2
Affiliations
Review

Atezolizumab for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Fernando C Santini et al. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2017 Sep.

Abstract

The immune system can restrain or promote cancer development and growth. Antibodies targeting immune checkpoints have revolutionized cancer treatment. Among the best responses have been in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which is largely caused by chronic exposure to carcinogens; associated with high neoantigen creation and sensitization to immune recognition. Atezolizumab was the first approved antibody that targets the PD-1 ligand (PD-L1). Areas covered: This drug profile article covers the basics of the cancer-immunity cycle and reviews some aspects of innate and adaptive immunology. We discuss the discovery of PD-L1 and PD-L2 while highlight the potential differences in targeting PD-L1 versus PD-1. In addition, we briefly summarized the available pre-clinical and clinical data of atezolizumab use in NSCLC. A special section covers the challenges of PD-L1 immunohistochemistry assay. Expert commentary: PD-1:PD-L1 blockade has taken the lead in the immunotherapeutics field and represents the backbone of developing combination immunotherapies. Atezolizumab represents a step forward in the treatment of advanced NSCLC, nonetheless PD1:PD-L1 blockade in early-stage lung cancer is still a matter of debate.

Keywords: Atezolizumab; PD-L1; immunotherapy; lung cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest

CM Rudin has been a paid consultant regarding anti-cancer drug development for Abbvie, Araxes, AstraZeneca, BMS, Celgene, G1 Therapeutics, Harpoon, and Novartis. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Atezolizumab phase 2 and phase 3 studies outline
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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