Authors' objectives: Atezolizumab is intended to be used as second line therapy for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). If licensed it would offer an additional treatment option for such patients, a group who currently have few effective therapies available. Atezolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to PD-L1 on the surface tumour cells, reducing the immunosuppressive interaction between PD-L1 on the cell surface and PD-1 receptors on the surfaces of tumour infiltrating cytotoxic T-cells. Atezolizumab does not currently have Marketing Authorisation in the EU for any indication. In the UK, lung cancer is the second most common diagnosed cancer, but the most common cause of cancer death, accounting for more than 1 in 5 cancer deaths. Most lung cancers are diagnosed in the later stages of the disease. For people presenting with stage IIIB NSCLC the 5-year survival rate is around 7-9%, and for people presenting with stage IV NSCLC, it varies from 2-13%. Median survival for patients with stage IV NSCLC treated with platinum-based therapy is 8 to 12 months. The aim of treatment for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC is to prolong survival, improve quality of life, and control disease-related symptoms. In patients with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations (except EGFR wild-type mutations), EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy should be considered as front-line therapy. Erlotinib and gefitinib are options for patients with EGFR-TK positive metastatic NSCLC. Afatinib is also an option for EGFR-TK positive metastatic NSCLC not previously treated with another EGFR-TKI. Atezolizumab is currently in one phase III clinical trial comparing its effect on overall survival against treatment with docetaxel. This trial is expected to complete in June 2017.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/atezolizumab-for-locally-advanced-or-metastatic-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-second-line/

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)