First-line atezolizumab plus carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel may improve progression-free survival (PFS) vs chemotherapy alone among patients with advanced squamous non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to a press release.1

Atezolizumab — a PD-L1 inhibitor — is currently approved for metastatic/unresectable urothelial carcinoma and metastatic NSCLC with EGFR or ALK mutations refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy.

For the open-label phase 3 IMpower131 study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02367794), researchers randomly assigned 1021 patients with stage IV NSCLC to 1 of 3 study arms: atezolizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel (Arm A), atezolizumab plus carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel (Arm B), or carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel alone (Arm C; control arm).


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All patients received induction therapy for 4 to 6 cycles followed by maintenance atezolizumab monotherapy; patients in the control arm only received best supportive care.

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The safety profile of each agent was consistent with those previously reported; no new adverse events were reported when administered in combination.

At the time of analysis, there were no significant improvements for overall survival. More mature data and findings will be presented at an upcoming oncology conference.

Reference

  1. Phase III IMpower131 study showed Genentech’s Tecentriq (atezolizumab) plus chemotherapy (carboplatin and Abraxane) reduced the risk of disease worsening or death in the initial treatment of people with a type of advanced squamous lung cancer [news release]. San Francisco, CA: Genentech; March 19, 2018. https://www.gene.com/media/press-releases/14709/2018-03-19/phase-iii-impower131-study-showed-genent. Accessed March 19, 2018.