Real-World Outcomes and Treatments Patterns Prior and after the Introduction of First-Line Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The advent of immuno-oncology (IO) agents, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has changed the treatment landscape of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We performed a retro-prospective study to describe the patients’ outcomes prior to and after the local regulatory approval of pembrolizumab as a first-line (1L) treatment in the real-world setting of an Italian cancer centre. Analyses were performed of a total of 694 patients with no or unknown oncogene addicted tumour, grouped into Pre- (n = 344) and Post- (n = 350) 1L IO populations. The study provides evidence of improvements in overall survival associated with the introduction of 1L immunotherapy, suggesting that receiving immunotherapy in the first-line rather than in the second- or later lines of treatment may be more favourable. ABSTRACT: Background: This study provides insights into the treatment use and outcomes of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in a real-world setting prior to and after the availability of immuno-oncology (IO) regimens in the first line (1L). Methods: Metastatic NSCLC patients, who initiated systemic 1L anticancer treatment from 2014 to 2020, were identified from health records. Patients were grouped into Pre-1L IO and Post-1L IO, according to the availability of pembrolizumab 1L monotherapy at the date of initiating 1L systemic anticancer treatment. Patient characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes were assessed by the cohort. Overall survival (OS) and real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The most common 1L treatment was platinum-based chemotherapy regimens in both groups (≥46%), followed by single-agent chemotherapy (27.0%) in Pre-1L IO and pembrolizumab (26.0%) in Post-1L IO. Median OS was 6.2 (95% CI 5.5–7.4) in Pre- and 8.9 months (95% CI 7.5–10.6) in Post-1L IO, while rwPFS was 3.7 (95% CI 3.3–4.2) and 4.7 months (95% CI 3.9–5.7), respectively. Conclusions: Even if a small proportion of patients received a 1L IO, the data showed an improved survival outcomes in the Post-1L IO group.