Authors' objectives: Ipilimumab (Yervoy) is an anti-CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4) monoclonal antibody that specifically blocks the interaction of CTLA-4 with its ligands, CD80/CD86. CTLA-4 is a negative regulator of T-cell activation and its inhibition results in T-cell activation, proliferation and lymphocyte infiltration into tumours, thereby enhancing antitumour immunity. Ipilimumab is intended for the treatment of extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in combination with etoposide and platinum therapy. In a phase III clinical trial, ipilimumab was administered via intravenous (IV) infusion at 10mg/kg every 3 weeks during induction, and every 12 weeks during maintenance, in combination with etoposide and cisplatin or carboplatin, until disease progression. SCLC originates from neuroendocrine-cell precursors and is characterised by rapid growth, high initial response rates to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy and development of treatment resistance in patients with metastatic disease. Small cell lung cancer is so called because histologically, the cells appear very small and are mostly filled with nucleus. SCLC is usually caused by smoking. About 12% of lung cancers are of small cell histology; the rest are non-small cell. This equates to approximately 4,187 patients annually. Approximately 69% of cases are diagnosed at extensive stage. In 2013, there were 88,350 admissions for malignant neoplasm of the bronchus and lung in England, resulting in 282,717 bed-days and 108,216 finished consultant episodes. In England and Wales, 30,437 deaths due to malignant neoplasm of the bronchus and lung were registered during 2013. Platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with etoposide is currently the first line treatment choice for extensive stage disease. Ipilimumab in combination with etoposide and platinum therapy is currently undergoing a phase III clinical trial assessing its effect on overall survival compared with placebo in combination with etoposide and platinum therapy. This trial is expected to be complete by March 2017.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/ipilimumab-yervoy-for-small-cell-lung-cancer-first-line-in-combination-with-etoposide-and-platinum-therapy/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)