Beyond the standard of care: A review of novel immunotherapy trials for the treatment of lung cancer

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States, yet traditional chemotherapy fails to provide long-term benefi t for many patients. New approaches are needed to improve overall survival beyond the current standard of care. Methods: This review discusses recent clinical trials using immunotherapy techniques to treat both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and highlights ongoing immunotherapy research efforts at our center. Results: For NSCLC, phase II clinical trials have examined allogeneic vaccines that target either mucin 1 (MUC1), epidermal growth factor or melanoma-associated antigen 3. These vaccines are now undergoing larger phase III trials. An autologous cellular therapy directed against transforming growth factor beta-2 and a recombinant protein with antitumor properties have also shown promise in prolonging survival in NSCLC in phase II trials. The monoclonal antibodies ipilimumab, BMS-936558 (anti-PD-1), and BMS936559 (anti-PD-L1) lead to enhanced T-cell-mediated antitumor effects and have produced objective responses in early-phase clinical trials. Studies for SCLC also exist, such as a novel vaccine therapy targeting p53. Conclusions: Recent clinical trials in lung cancer demonstrate the potential of immunotherapeutics to increase overall survival in patients with lung cancer compared with the current standard of care.