Posted by Michael Wonder on 16 Nov 2016
Pembrolizumab in lung cancer: evidence of considerable additional benefit
16 November 2016 - Significant advantages when compared to docetaxel.
Pembrolizumab has been available since July 2016 for use by adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer whose tumours express the T cell receptor ligand PD-L1 and have already been treated with chemotherapy. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care has assessed whether pembrolizumab provides an additional benefit over the appropriate comparator therapy.
For patients in whom the use of further chemotherapy (docetaxel or pemetrexed disodium heptahydrate) or nivolumab is an option, there is an indication of a significant additional benefit. For patients who cannot receive these therapies, there is no additional benefit.
