Real-world efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Pembrolizumab, a humanized immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody directed against the programmed cell death 1 receptor, demonstrated robust efficacy and a manageable safety profile across multiple tumor types in clinical trials. AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of first-line pembrolizumab for patients with non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) in clinical practice. METHODS: In this observational monocentric retrospective study, 38 patients with PD-L1 >50% were enrolled between November 2017 and November 2018. RESULTS: The global median overall survival was 11.08 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.98-not reached) and the global median progression-free survival was 6 months (95% CI, 3-not reached). In the univariate analysis, clinical performance status score and the development of immune-related adverse events were the only 2 clinical factors significantly correlated with overall survival. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that pembrolizumab seems less effective in the real-life population than in the pivotal clinical trials in patients with NSCLC but remains an effective treatment option for patients with NSCLC. Longer follow-up is needed.

Efficacy and safety of nivolumab in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective study in clinical practice.

Nivolumab, a fully human immunoglobulin monoclonal antibody inhibiting the programmed cell death protein-1 receptor, demonstrated robust efficacy and a manageable safety profile across multiple tumor types in clinical trials. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of nivolumab for pretreated patients with non-small cell lung cancers in clinical practice. In this observational monocentric retrospective study, 98 patients were enrolled between February 2015 and February 2016. The global median overall survival was 6.34 months (95% confidence interval (CI) : 4.11-10.88) and the global median progression free survival was 1.84 months (95% CI: 1.68-2.73). In the univariate analysis, clinical performance status score was the only factor significantly correlated with overall survival. The safety profile of nivolumab is consistent with that described in prior studies, with only 7% undesirable effects requiring the discontinuation of treatment. The results of the present study demonstrate that nivolumab affords clinical efficacy and manageable tolerability in patients with non-small cell lung cancers.

Anaphylactic reaction to pemetrexed: a case report.

Pemetrexed is approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer and has an overall favorable toxicity profile. We describe a 58-year-old man who developped an anaphylactic shock within few minutes from the beginning of pemetrexed perfusion. Pemetrexed was discontinued and the patient's symptoms gradually resolved with administration of symptomatic treatment. Serum tryptase level remained normal and intra dermal skin tests were negative eventhough a nonspecific papule was noted. This case suggests that caution should be exercised when prescribing pemetrexed and clinicians must be warranted for the possibility of serious adverse events associated with pemetrexed use.