Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents approximately 85 % of lung cancers, with five-year survival only 4.5 % for metastatic disease. Programmed death (ligand)-1 (PD-[L]1) inhibitors have advanced NSCLC treatment, but patient demographics can potentially affect clinical outcomes. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis were undertaken to determine if the benefits of anti-PD-(L)1 therapies in NSCLC are independent of race (bio-geographic background). Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and World Health Organization Global Index Medicus were systematically searched (inception-to-Aug-2024). Primary analysis focused on studies with subgroup analysis (White vs Asian, White vs Non-White, Asian vs Non-Asian) of anti-PD-(L)1 efficacy in both resectable/localized and unresectable/advanced NSCLC. Subgroup analysis included stratification by PD-L1 expression, treatment line, and treatment regimen. Bayesian inferential meta-analysis was performed for outcomes with ≥ 1 study. Results: From 4406 records, 22 randomized controlled trials, 3 pooled analyses, and 2 pharmacokinetic studies were included. In unresectable/advanced NSCLC, anti-PD-(L)1 therapy significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) for White (hazard ratio [HR] 0.80; 95 % credible interval [95 % CrI] 0.74–0.87, p < 0.001 and HR 0.68; 95 % CrI 0.61–0.77, p < 0.001, respectively) and Asian (HR 0.81; 95 % CrI 0.69–0.96, p = 0.027 and HR 0.63; 95 % CrI 0.50–0.80, p = 0.002) patients. The significant improvements in PFS were maintained for both groups within all sub-analyses. Limited data prohibited conduction of meta-analysis for resectable/localized NSCLC. Conclusions: The benefits of anti-PD-(L)1 therapy in unresectable/advanced NSCLC appear similar for White and Asian patients. Increased quality and quantity of data is required to draw definitive conclusions for resectable/localized NSCLC and with respect to treatment line/regimen and PD-L1 expression.

The effects of race on anti-PD-(L)1 monoclonal antibodies in non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Normanno, Nicola;Novello, Silvia
;
2025-01-01

Abstract

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents approximately 85 % of lung cancers, with five-year survival only 4.5 % for metastatic disease. Programmed death (ligand)-1 (PD-[L]1) inhibitors have advanced NSCLC treatment, but patient demographics can potentially affect clinical outcomes. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis were undertaken to determine if the benefits of anti-PD-(L)1 therapies in NSCLC are independent of race (bio-geographic background). Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and World Health Organization Global Index Medicus were systematically searched (inception-to-Aug-2024). Primary analysis focused on studies with subgroup analysis (White vs Asian, White vs Non-White, Asian vs Non-Asian) of anti-PD-(L)1 efficacy in both resectable/localized and unresectable/advanced NSCLC. Subgroup analysis included stratification by PD-L1 expression, treatment line, and treatment regimen. Bayesian inferential meta-analysis was performed for outcomes with ≥ 1 study. Results: From 4406 records, 22 randomized controlled trials, 3 pooled analyses, and 2 pharmacokinetic studies were included. In unresectable/advanced NSCLC, anti-PD-(L)1 therapy significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) for White (hazard ratio [HR] 0.80; 95 % credible interval [95 % CrI] 0.74–0.87, p < 0.001 and HR 0.68; 95 % CrI 0.61–0.77, p < 0.001, respectively) and Asian (HR 0.81; 95 % CrI 0.69–0.96, p = 0.027 and HR 0.63; 95 % CrI 0.50–0.80, p = 0.002) patients. The significant improvements in PFS were maintained for both groups within all sub-analyses. Limited data prohibited conduction of meta-analysis for resectable/localized NSCLC. Conclusions: The benefits of anti-PD-(L)1 therapy in unresectable/advanced NSCLC appear similar for White and Asian patients. Increased quality and quantity of data is required to draw definitive conclusions for resectable/localized NSCLC and with respect to treatment line/regimen and PD-L1 expression.
2025
Jun 18;214
1
16
Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Non-small cell lung cancer; Overall survival; Pharmacokinetics; Programmed death (ligand) 1; Progression-free survival; Race
Genova, Carlo; Cappuzzo, Federico; Minotti, Giorgio; Normanno, Nicola; Rodgers-Gray, Barry; Waghorne, Nicola; Novello, Silvia; Tiseo, Marcello...espandi
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
main 2025.pdf

Accesso aperto

Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 8.2 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
8.2 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/2087030
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
social impact